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THE 



GUERILLA-BRIDE; 

A POEM. 



HENEY BARNES, 

AUTHOR OF " THE FAITHFUL HOSTLEK," " VOLUNTEEKS OF 
THE REVOLUTION," " HUNTED TORIES," ETC. 



PEIVATE EDITION. 
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR 



BELLEFONTAINE, 0. 
HUBBARD & BROTHER, PRINTERS. 

1858. 






Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1656, by 
HENRY BARNES, 
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States 
for the District of Ohio. 






TO 

LOEIN ANDEEWS, A. M., 

PRESIDENT OF KENYON COLLEGE, 

MY MUCH ESTEEMED FRIEND, 

AS A HUMBLE TOKEN OB MY HIGH REGARD, 

THIS BOOK 

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. 

THE AUTHOR. 



CONTENTS 



CANTO I . 
The Moravian Missionary and his Daughter. 

CANTO II. 
The Murder and the Captive. 

C ANTO III . 
War with the Apaches. 

CANTO IV. 
The Lovers and the Home. 

CANTO V . 
The Birth of Western States. 
CANTO VI. 
The Assassin's Attempt. 

CANTO VII. 
The Capture and the Release. 



THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 

CANTO I . 

THE MORAVIAN MISSIONARY AND HIS DAUGHTER 
I. 

Come, gentle Muse, thou art not coy ; 
I well in thy kind aid may joy ; 
Thou givest numbers to my hand, 
But canst not make at my command 
The gold to fill the Poet's purse — 
To him stern poverty's a curse — 
But never mind — just aid our rhyme, 
And thoughts of gold shall not engross our time. 



6 ^THE GUEEILLA-BEIDE. 

II. 

Come cheerily, then, as light and gay 
As the young bride on wedding day ; 
And aid as thou hast oft before : 
Than eve^ may I love thee more : 
Teach me the good old Saxon tongue 
In which such noble ones have sung ; 
Help me to make my unprized lays 
Still prove its strength, and emulate its praise. 



III. 

I will not sing of pleasures all 
Unstained with blood. Awhile I '11 call 
On war and rapine, treacherous wrong 
To mingle in my lighter song. 
As in the ranch by love-light now 
I touch my harp to lover's vow, 
As o'er adventures wild I glide 
And sing the fair, the young Guerilla-Bride. 



THE GUEKILLA-BEIDE. 
IV. 

Love has been sung by poets old ; 
Love in each strain by all is told ; 
Then I shall sing nought new or strange ; 
Nor yet sing I for party change, 
But tofich the theme that oft invites 
The Muse's voice to sing delights 
Of love in chance and hazard, pride 
Hymenial of the young Guerilla-Bride. 



V. 

t sing of gratitude returned 
By him who else each plea had spurned, 
And the offender left to die, 
Swung by ignoble noose on high, 
The death of all, the most despised, 
By tyrant fierce, no doubt, devised ; 
And when with shame he thus had died, 
A widow leave the young Guerilla-Bride. 



b THE OUEKILL A -BSIDE . 

VI. 

lu southern clime, where fig-trees grow, 
And Freedom struck her latest blow ; 
Where th' orange scents the softer gale. 
And bison graze along the vale, 
On Mexico's extended plain 
That stretches far to either main. 
Below Cordillera's flowering side 
We first beheld the young Guerillas-Bride. 



VII. 
Our Muse beheld in dreamy mood 
The beauty born of Spanish blood, 
Her brow so fair, her step so light, 
Her form all speaking pure delight ; 
Perhaps it was an idle dream, 
Yet it so like the truth did seem, 
I can but think the Muse espied 
The fair, the gay, the young Guerilla-Bride. 



. THE GUEEILL A- BKIDE . 
VIII. 

The Prairie ! Oceau spreading wide, 
And swept by tempests, like the tide 
Of waters on the leeward shore ; 
Thy tall grass undulations bore , 
And the helpless birds llap their wings, 
And plunge, and fly, affrighted things ; 
Huge bison roll, as dolphins glide, 
Along the prairie of the young Guerilla-Bride, 



IX. 

Yet when thou 'rt- calm, thy hue 
Appears so like the tranquil blue 
Of oceau, thou dost oft remind 
Me of its calmness, when the wind 
Is hushed and the tall vessel lies 
Scarcely moved by its gasping sighs, 
And flap the useless sails — so wide 
Is th' prairie where dwells the Guerilla-Bride. 



10 THE GUERILLA- EEIDE 



X. 

I have twice ridden ocean's wave, 
And joyed as the big billows lave 
The surging bark. I 've felt the sliout 
To rise within me when the spout 
Of some strong wave broke o'er the side, 
Down rushing on me in a tide 
Of weltering waters, and I shook 
My drenched garments with a drowned look, 



XI. 

But with a real joy, akin 
To that I 've felt in youth within 
The streaming waterfall. 'T were sure 
An hour of wild delight so pure 
My heart grew big, and leaped as leapetl 
The rushing billows as they heaped 
Far o'er the wide extended waste, 
And with white foam each watery mountain graced. 



THEGUEKILLA-BRIDE. 11 

Xll. 

So, too, when gazing on the wide 
Prairie, fenced in on every side 
By the blue heav'ns, and see it roll, 
That same wild impulse grasps ray soul. 
And gives it strange bewilderment ; 
Makes me believe that nature's lent, 
In all its forms, for happiness. 



And t' make man still his sovereign Maker l)less. 



Xlll. 

This passion seized me once again, 
When gazing o'er Apaches' plain, 
I saw on either hand but sky. 
Save to the far-off west, where high 
The mountains loom their sombre forms, 
Whose view imagination warms 
With new idea of the vast, 
Sublimer worship to the Protoplast. 



12 THEGUERILLA-BKIDE, 



XIV. 

Upon that plain a mansion stands 
Where far the view all round commands 
The crag'ged peaks of Madra there 
Loom far off up in middle air, 
And rest their backs against the sky, 
As tall oaks rifted by the tempest high 
Fall, resting on their neighbors bowed ; 
So Madra leans against the western cloud. 



XV. 

The plain extends on either side, 
With flowrets sprinkled far and wide 
In wild luxuriance, and the herd 
Of horses, deer, or bison, stirred 
By some unusual noise, hence hie. 
And devious far for safety lly ; 
Behind they leave th' tall herbage bowed 
Where Madra leans against the western cloud. 



THE GUEKILL A-BEID E . 13 



XVI. 

That mansion was the homo of prayer, 
For sacred duty brought them there ; 
The savage mind to christian ways, 
The idol-worship into praise 
Was work for him to do, who glad 
Would lay down life and all he had 
To win them on to heaven's high road, 
Where Madra leans agains the western cloud. 



XVII. 

Moravia, thou hast to the wilderness 
Sent many a deep-learned son to bless 
The aborigines. May all 
The Christian world thee blessed call, 
And cherish thy religion. I 
For all thy scattered children sigh 
A prayer. In prayer Moravians bowed 
Where Madra leans against the western cloud. 



14 THEGUERILLA-BEIDE. 



XVIII. 

The legate to Apaches, man forlorn, 
Moravia's son, of Spanish mother born, 
And married to a Spanish bride ; 
Spoke many tongues, had travelled wide ; 
Among the red-men of the West 
Had lived, and longed to see them blest; 
And to their welfare life had vowed 
Where Madra leans against the western cloud. 



xix: 
lie had a bigot been when found 
And led home by this sect renowned — 
The virgin worshipped, and his beads 
Oft counted, mindless of his deeds ; 
But once convinced of error, taught 
Eeligion's purer way, each thought 
For service beat, to the yoke bowed 
Where Madra leans against the western cloud. 



THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 15 



XX. 

That mansion was a blest retreat, 
Mid nature's wildest scenes its seat, 
With beauty teeming there and song; 
One well might worship Heaven long 
Untiring ; but the sight most fair 
To gazers was a mortal there — 
A beauteous one to make all proud. 
Where Madra leans against the western cloud. 



XXI. 
Daro I attempt to paint her brow 
By aid of Muse ? Why, even now 
The jealous prude declines her aid 
To paint her, fair and rival maid. 
Dark was her Spanish brow; her eye 
With sparks of quick intelligence fly — 
Her raven locks — her step so proud 
Where Madra leans against the western cloud. 



16 TIIEGDEKILLA-BKIDE. 

XXII. 

But most in beauty shone her face, 
When bowed before the throne of grace ; 
There seemed a breathing fire to rise, 
And dropping beauty from the skies 
That shed its halo on her brow- 
In showers, such her virgin vow ; 
And such the beauteous one who vowed 
Where Madra leans against the western cloud. 



XXIll. 

Have you not seen in closet's bar, 
When th' door was careless left ajar, 
A maiden bowed in prayer ? If you 
Have never seen that fairer view — 
If you 've not seen the hands clasped there 
The jeweled tear — the flouting hair, 
You have not seen what was embrowed 
Where Madra leans as-ainst the western cloud. 



THE OUERILL A-BEID E . 

:XXIY. 

If yon 've net seen the beautiful 
In sadness sit enthroned, the full 
Flush of th' repentant heart, and heard 
The trembling, scarcely-whispered word 
Of pardon sought, then you have missed 
jEarth's fairest jewel, heaven's amethyst. 
Go, then, and see the maiden bowed 
Where Madra leans against the western cloud. 



XXV. 

"What parent has not loved the more ? 
Who 'could not full affection pour 
For such a daughter ? Who W not feel 
That earth and Heaven unite tlieir weal 
To bless them, fliough in savage lands 
Amid the scorning, threat'ning bands, 
Endangered secret and aloud 
Hiere Madra leans against. the western cloud. 



18 THE GUERILLA- BRIDE 



XXVI. 

That father doted ou his child — 
His earthly all amid that wild, 
Amid that rudely barbarous race — 
His helper in the path of grace. 
He loved to see her fling her hair, 
Curling and flouting in the air, 
And ride her Indian barb so proud 
Where Madra leans aa'ainst the western cloud. 



XXVII. 

He loved her and his home so fair 
Amid the wild race of his missiourtheiv. 
Where do we learning more revci*e 
Than in high Heaven's minister ? 
If there be one man that I love 
The most, he who from Him above 
Has been declared his messenger 
I welcome first of all to mortals here. 



THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 19 

XXVlll. 

He opes his lips, and thence is flung 
From clearer, heaven-instructed tongue 
The words of life and love divine, 
That bid us all our sms resign. 
He yet, though frowned upon and shunned 
By some, stands undismayed, a fund 
Of counsel and support from Heav'n, 
For all his trying needs, aye being given. 



XXIX. 

What though we see him often bear 
A deeply solemn, troubled air ! 
The weight of his responsibility, 
Though vast, he yet can never flee. 
His flock must oft be warned to shun 
The path to hell, and taught to run 
The road that leads to licavenly bliss ; 
And loudly cry, lest some the pathway miss. 



20 THE GUEBILLA-BKIDE. 



XXX. 

And oft he must that cry repeat — 
Let those who feel the lash retreat, 
And 'meddler' cry ; — his mission calls 
To censure wrong where'er it falls, 
Encourage those who 're in the right, 
And mingle in the hottest fight. 
Then on to battle ! Brave the foe ! 
Untampering death to every evil show. 



XXXI. 

Bind up the mourner's bleeding wound. 
And virtue see with triumph crowned; 
Go to the wild tribes of the West — 
Go where the Gospel has not blest 
The nations of the earth, and preach 
The Savior, pure Religion teach ; 
Your sickle shall not strike in vain, 
But reap for you and them eternal gain. 



THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 21 

XXXll. 

O, is there aught on earth more dear 
Than love's parental, home-born cheer 'i 
That love, like tones of well-tuned harp 
^Eolian, low, or loud, or sharp. 
Or soft, a thousand tones in one 
All blending and harmonious run. 
So runs the love that parents know, 
The love that lingers longest here below. 



XXXIU. 

A parent's love gold cannot buy ; 
Nor banished e'en by sorrow's sigh. 
Ne'er all the bands that ever played 
Half such enrapturing music made 
As careless childhood's prattling song 
That comes, as zephyrs float along : 
All things the bliss parental show, 
Tlie love that lingers longest here below. 



22 THEGUERILLA-BRIDE. 

XXXIV. 

Even the dead ones we have lain 
In the deep grave, alive again 
To memory, come with prattle round 
Our knees so like the morning sound 
Of waking, and wc know that they 
Are ringing songs in endless day. 
O, it is blest, indeed, to know 
The love that linarers longest here below. 



XXXV. 

Nor yet the parent's love is all ; 
This living love 's reciprocal. 
Children can never know tlie whole 
Weight resting on their tender soul 
Till time shall spin the magic tliread 
That binds the living to the dead ; 
Then shall they freely oft bestow 
The love that lino-ers lonc-cst here below. 



THSGUERILLA-BRIDS. 23 



XXXVl. 

I have eft listened to sweet song:; 
I have heard music still prolong 
Her notes ecstatic to the ear ; 
But never did I, can I liear 
Notes half so sweet as mother's voice 
That fills the heart, makes it rejoice : 
I could all othea- joy forego 
But love that lingers ionarest here below. 



XXXVIL 

Thus love I aye that blessed one, 
Who being gave a wretched son ; 
Though sick and sighing, way-worn still, 
There 's feeling yet that will distil 
Pure love for her who 's left below 
Waiting to see her children go 
To Heaven before her. Mother, soon 
Consumption shall on me its work have done. 



24 THE GU EBILLA- BEIDE. 

XXXVIII. 

i&ay, mother, thinkest thou at times 
Of one repentant of liis crimes f 
Say, mother, shall the falling tear 
Purchase for me forgiveness here I 
Shall crystal drops avail, you shed, 
As in lone prayer you bowed your head, 
In prayer for me, thy erring son 
On wliom consumption has its work near done ? 



XXXIXo 

Say, mother, wilt thou think of me ? ■ 
As o'er my sister's tomb, shall be 
The mourners' sighs full often heard ? 
Ah, I 'm escaped, forgotten bird, 
From home's loved cage ; can never know 
How soft affection's waters flow : 
Not long for him their murmurs run. 
On whom consumption has its work near done. 



T H E G U E R I L T, A - B K I D E . 25 



XL. 

I have endured more wrongs, and heaved 
]\Iorc whirlwind sighs from heart aggrieved 
Than were enough of those to load 
A bark, of those the watery road 
To drive it o'er — the watery wake 
The briny tears 1 've shed might make ; 
Yet, mother, loves thee still thy sou, 
E'en though consumption has its work near done. 



XLl. 

Thus loved the father of that maid ; 
The maiden loved thus ; and they played 
Both tangled in the web inwove 
Betwixt and round them both by love ; 
Nor would they break the golden woof 
Spun in such love-lit task, a proof 
That they on earth, in Heaven shall know 
The love that lingers longest here below. 



2€' THEGUERIL LA-BRIDE. 



XLII. 

And it were well if never aught 
Should break this life of even thought. 
I would that mansion might for aye, 
That love connubial display, 
That filial piety so pure — 
And its exterior sweets endure — 
That he the red man, his own, show 
The love that lingers longest here below. 



XLIII. 

Yet, ah, we scarcely know the hour, 
We dream not of the secret power, 
That, ere we are aware, quick springs 
Some ill, and swift destruction brings. 
As springs the hunter's trap, and takes 
Tlr unwary sable, so ill breaks 
Upon us, while in dreams but How 
Tlie love that lingers longest here below. 



THE GUERILLA-BKIDE. 27 

XLIV. 

It strikes without one sign or beck, 
As lightning, leaving ns a wreck. 
When good had been our fond design. 
Marked only by the darkened line 
That shows destruction's track ; but most 
This ruin from the savage host 
Who, raging, wish not e'en to know 
The love that lingers longest here below. 



XLV. 
And oft destruction is most sure 
To those whose life-light is as pure 
As morning sunbeams — those whose life 
Is with good-will to mankind rife 
And messages of heavenly love : 
Old prejudices war-clubs prove, 
That strike with vengeful arm, nor slow. 
The love tliat linu-ers lon2;est here below. 



28 THEGUEKILLA-BRIDE 



XLVI. 

That father in liis mission wild, 
Hope occidental beaming mild, 
Recked little of the sudden gust 
Of savage fury that in dust 
Should lay his hopes, him in a torn!) 
Of ashes, an untimely doom 
That soon shall on him sudden fall, 
As rushes on the mariner the squall. 



XLVll. 

Thus did the settlers of the soil. 
From quick attack and quick recoil. 
Much suffer ; and who 'scaped the blow. 
Had vengeance in him waked, that slow. 
But sure, has, driving, forced to fly 
The white man's native enemy ; 
Nor longer treacherous knife may fall, 
As rushes on the mariner the squall. 



THE GUEKILLA-BBIDE. 29 

XLVIII. 

The oft-told tales of tortured wrong, 
Preserved iu liistory or song, 
Might check the purple flow so crude, 
And freeze to ice the circling blood. 
They oft were used to scare nie when 
A child, till dreading darkness then, 
I wished that darkness were not formed, 
For Indums in my dreams around mo swarmed. 



XLIX. 

Oft as I saw some wand'rer stroll, 
"With basket slung behind, the whole 
Supported by a strap o'erdrawn 
Across her brow of lofty brawn. 
And bearing ample load of ware. 
Of beads and baskets, spangles fiiir, 
I 'd fly till mother barrier formed. 
For e'en in day-dreams Indians round me swarmed. 



30 THE GUERILLA-BRIDE 



L. 

I 've sometimes seen a drunken wa<r 
Draw his tobacco-pouch, and brag, 
While dangling its long auburn hair. 
That ' twas the scalp of white-child fair ; 
And heard his war-yell wild, as rum 
Made fancy see the foeman come ; — 
Then hatred to the race was formed, 
And e'en in day-dreams Indians round me swarmed. 



THE GUERILLA- BRIDE. 

CANTO II. 

THE M U K D E R AND THE CAPTIVE. 
I, 

Upon the brink of Rio Grand, 
Whore thick the cottou-wood trees stand. 
Wlien nifjht had drawn her veil around 
The lowering 1)row of day, and bound 
Her eyelids close, a savage band. 
With knife and liatchet in each hand, 
Squat round the blazing fire, nor fell 
A sound, not e'en a murmur mitteral. 



32 THE GUERILLA-BKIDE 



11. 

Yet fiercely every dark eye glared, 
And every o'erstrained muscle shared 
The deathly-hushed and awful will, 
That but the war-shout waits to fill 
The forest and the plain beyond 
With vengeful cries, to which respond 
The mountains, echoing back again 
Tlie war-cry o'er the far-extended plain. 



111. 

A tall old chief of towering strength 
The council-fire approached at length 
With solemn mien and stately tread. 
With gay plumes floating from his head ; 
A moment gazed on those around — 
His tall plumes nod — a guttural sound — - 
A grunt from every warrior there, 
iShows their approval, they his feelings share. 



THE GUEEILLA-BEIDE. 33 



IV. 

Quick the unerring tomahawk 
Goes whizaing to the tree, the dawk 
Filled with the clinging weapon's edge-^ 
His scalping knife stood, like a sedge. 
Within the soil. He grasped a brand. 
And twirled it, writhing in his hand, 
And gave a devlish whoop so loud, 
That Madxa heard, reclining on the cloud. 



ISTot quicker he, than warriors ail, 
With weapons gore the lint-trees tall ; 
Their scalping-knives thrust in the earth, 
And give the war-whoop double birth : 
All scatter sparkling brands around. 
And dance to diabolic sound 
Of whoop and clamor, clap and song, 
Whose notes old Madra's echoes still prolong. 



34 THE GUEKILLA-BKII>E. 

VI. 

Wild was the furor of the dance, 
And wilder, fiercer still the glance 
Of those dark warriors' burning eyes, 
As whirled they, leaped, and whooped the skies, 
Till in a foam became upstrung 
Their limbs, and froths the lolling tongue 
At whoop and clamor, clap and song. 
Whose notes old Madra's echoes still prolong. 



VII. 

Thus till the moon had climbed the heaven. 
And had her web begun to spin 
On which she clambers down again. 
Did the tierce tumult run amain. 
Each grasped his weapons fi*om their place. 
Then with thick paint bedaubed his face ; 
Each raised the notes of death's last song, 
Whose gurgles Madra's echoes still prolong. 



THE G UE R IL L A -BBI D E 



35 



Vlll. 

Then gathered near the dark-eyed squaw, 
With her pappoose, that thongs close draw 
To the confining bark, to wail 
The wife's farewell. Ah, nought avail 
When fiercer passions rise to drain 
The white man's blood upon the plain. 
All night the wigwam hears thy song 
Which only Madra's echoes still prolong. 



IX. 

One Indian-maiden, crying, clung 
T' her father, the tall chief we 've sung — 
" Stay, stay thy hand ; nor raise the knife ; 
Tlie white man 's good, and loves his wife ; 
His daughter trembling at his knee. 
Gives love to him, to you and me. 
Stay ! do the white-man's head no wrong : 
Let Madra's echoes still his joy prolong." 



36 THE GUEKILLA-BRIDE 



" Go, Nora, tend the waning fire, 
And leave the battle to thy sire. 
Shall such pale-faces dare to bound 
"With stakes our ancient hunting-ground, 
And scare the bison and the deer 
Awood ? What business has he here ? 
Does not he do the red-man wrong 
Where Madra's echoes still his cry prolong ? 



XI. 

" Do not the white-men hate as we ? — 
They wish the heretic to see 
Sent to the spirit-land. Ho, braves. 
Dig for them broad and bloody graves ; 
Let th' battle-cry be heard, and fling 
The brand into their home, and bring 
Scalps back to cheer your squaws. Be strong ; 
Let Madra's echoes war-cries loud prolong." 



THEGUEKILLA-BKIDE. 37 

XII. 

The Indian-girl would fain obey ; 
But first, by warning, would delay. 
" My father, hearest thou the tread 
Of the Great Spirit ? Long the dead 
He bids me mourn. Go, if thou wilt — 
The spiller has his own blood spilt — 
The South West Country waits thy song. 
Beyond where Madra's echo-tones prolong." 



Xlll. 

The chieftain heeded not her cry : 
Believed not in her prophecy : 
The band by the tall chieftain led, 
With bending backs and lengthened tread. 
Extended line of warrior-force, 
Stretched to the plain their evil course : 
Each with a brand, snatched as they go, 
Into the white-man's mansion burnins: t' throw 



38 THE GUERILliA-BBIDE. 



XIV. 

Young Nora, the fair Indian-maid, 
Gazing, awhile her footsteps stayed, 
Till in the distance on her sight 
The last brand, glimmering, lost its light ; 
She then turns homeward to depart, 
Wild wails, and beats her sorrowing heart, 
The wigwam fire with faggots piles, 
And sings her sadly mournful dirge the whiles. 



XV. 

" He's gone to lay the white-man low ; 
The white-man gives to liim a blow 
That makes death gurgle in his throat. 
And checks the partly uttered shout. 
Together shall their bodies lie. 
Death dealing to each other, die. 
While Nora long the foggots piles. 
And sings her sadly mournful dirge the whiles. 



THE CJUERILLA'BKIDE. 30 

XVI. 

" The tall tree bends before the stroke — 
The hatchet bows the lofty oak — 
The whitc-nuiTi falls witltin his door — 
Tlie chieftain waves his plume no more — 
The riven trees the wigwam light — 
The bodies of the slain delight 
The lapping flames, while Nora piles, 
And sings her sadly mournful dirge the whiles. 



XVII. 

*' Give back, give back the white-man's life ; 
And smoke the peace-pipe — let not strife 
Arouse tlie war-club — throw the brand 
And hatchet from your bloody hand ; 
The peace-pipe's smoking should prevail 
Where now Apache-women wail. 
Let Nora light from fire she piles, 
Nor sing her sadly mournful dirge the whiles. 



1 



40 THE GUERILLA-BBII>E 



5VIII. 

" From the red-stone my hand has made 
The ample bowl ; and from the shade, 
From far within the sedge-moor low, 
From out the swamp where lone; reeds groWy 
With my own father's war-knife keen, 
I cut its stem, both long* and green — 
Let Nora light from fire she piles, 
Nor sing her sadly mournful dirge the whiles. 



XIX. 

" Ue hears me not — the Great Spirit calls ; 
Him to the South West Country calls — 
He goes, goes by the white-man's arm — 
The white-man falls by th' red-man's storiu — 
Together weltering in their blood — 
Together make for flames the food — 
In vain the moments Nora whiles, 
And sings her sadly mournful dirge the whiles." 



THEGUERIL LA- BRIDE. 41 

XX. 

Thus sang the maid in prophet mood, 
And fiercer still the watch-fire glowed ; 
But while this grew, the council flame 
An ashy smouldering heap became — 
The braves, forgetful that the moan 
From lodge-flues thus has heavenward gone, 
Ran measured o'er the lengthened way 
To where mid-plain the mission dwelling lay. 



XXI. 

Each with his smoking brand behind, 
Nursed into sparkles by the wind, 
Witli silence deep the mansion reacli, 
And neath the sill deposits each 
The coals piled on each other there, 
And nursed to flame with breathing care 
Soon flames might well direct the way 
To where mid-plain the mission dwelling lay. 



42 TUEGDKKILLA-BKIDK. 

XXII. 

One dreadful yell of fury, led 
By the tall chief, roused from his bed 
The missionary. Brave, yet good, 
With axe iu hand, he fearless stood 
Upon the burning door-step high, 
Forefront the chieftain's savage eye. 
They meet — they strike — and mingle they 
Their blood raid plain where th' mission dwelling lay, 



XXIII. 

The yell half uttered in his throat 
Died out from fury's savage note 
To gasping sigh for waning breath ; 
And Hames seized both as soon as death ; 
But louder yelled the remnant band — 
In mothers' blood imbrued the hand. 
And servants' ; gladdens them to slay 
All where mid-plain the mission dwelling lay, 



THB QUEKILLA- BRIDE. 43 

XXIV. 

All lay there mid the slain save one, 
The maiden fair ; and she had run, 
At first alarm, and soiitz;ht in prayer 
Of God his counsel and his care. 
Thus kneeled she, poured her tears and cries. 
While sweetness melted in her eyes, 
And shed a halo all around. 
That o'er her shone and echoed in each sound. 



XXV. 

The savage fiends o'erhear her cries, 
And break in on her exercise. 
She heeds them not, nor fears the blow 
That they in threatening gestures show ; - 
Iler trust in God has swallowed all. 
E'en if the tomahawk should fall — 
That halo struck an awe profound. 
That o'er her shone, and echoed in each sound. 



44 THEGDEBILLA-BBIDE. 



XXVI. 

The savage devils stood amazed, 
While timbers crackled round them, gazed. 
Forget their rage, the flames' wild glare, 
Such power hath effectual prayer. 
They grasp, and lead her from the flames. 
And give of their own pretty names, 
" The Red Sky of the Morning" — bear 
Her to their distant village lodge with care. 



XXVII. 
A chair made of their joining hands. 
And bore the nymph of heavenly lands 
To Nora's lonely dwelling. Nora claims 
Her for her father in the flames. 
And " Red Sky " asks for Nora's love 
Instead of father gone above — 
They much each other's love-light share 
Beneath the village lodge prepared with care. 



T 11 E G U E K I L L A - i; R 1 D E . 45 



XXVlll. 

Though miicli the women tend her wants, 
And Nora leads to beauteous haunts, 
And loves her with a child's caress, 
Yet mourns she long with sad distress 
Her parent buried in the flame, 
The earthly ruin of the noble fi'ame, 
Yet trusts a heavenly home to share, 
As she, the village badge prepared with care. 



XXIX. 

Oft would she to the grove retire, 
And pour out there her heart's desire 
In fervent prayer, so sadly miM, 
'T was like the wishes of a cliild; 
Wiiile Nora, like a buskined sprite, 
Tripped after with an awed delight. 
Bowed with her, too ; or awe-struck stood. 
And whispered, '' 'Red Sky of the Morning', good." 



46 



THE GUEEILLA-BKIDE 



XXX. 

Young warriors, painted for the fraj, 
Gazed on her as the flush of day, 
Just dawning, sat upon her cheek 
In contrast with her dark eye meek. 
They stopped the wild war-dance to gaze 
On faith and beauty's heavenly plays ; 
They murmured, but at distance stood. 
They murmured, " 'Red Sky of the Morning', good." 



XXXI. 

She, captive, ceased not to fulfil 
The mission to the Red-Man still, 
Nor failed her courage to display 
To all, who 'd list, the heavenward way ; 
To Nora taught the Sacred Book, 
And taught to pray ; and oft as look 
The dames upon them in that mood. 
They whispered, "'Red Sky of the Morning', good." 



TIIK GUERI I- LA-BRIDE 



47 



XXXll. 

What long lier father failed to gaiu. 
She won by unpretending strain. 
Retired amid the sheltering wood. 
But soon she saw resulting good ; 
Devotion made the Christian bold. 
And with new interest soon the old. 
The 3"0ung list to instruction tliere, 
And own the power of Effectual Prayer. 



XXXlll. 

The query of the Christian mind 
Why they do not an answer find 
To their petitions, sent with moan 
Contrite to his eternal throne, 
Admits an answer short and plain. 
'Tis true they ask for what they 'd gain. 
A blessing on tlie longing soul. 
Of which they cannot comprehend the whole. 



48 



THE G U E It I L L A - li li I D E 



XXXIV. 

Thoy ccaso not to lot earth's vain smiles 
Tempt tliem to l)Ow to Satan's wiles — 
Their weaker faith p;ives not to know 
The blessiiiijjs God would jjjlad bestow — 
Their eoulidenco too weak to wait 
With minds in an nn]>nrturbed state, 
Ilelies not on his revelation, plain 
As morning snnlig-ht in his earliest train. 



XXXV. 

When they with routine dulness read 
The Book Divine, they see, indeed. 
The promise there in plainer lines, 
But feel not all its grand designs. 
They see not clear as saw the maid, 
A captive in the wild tribe stayed, 
When she relied upon it. plain 
As niorninii' sunli^'ht in his earliest train. 



T H E O D E K I L L A - UK 1 D E . 40 

XXXVl. 

Not thus their blinded minds see plain, 
Thence do not consolation gain, 
And Heaven 's as cold as earth around ; 
Tlieir gouIs in icy fetters bound, 
As w'hen the hunter mid the snow 
Of Alps sees distant hearth-fires glow, 
Would reach their warming flame, 
But ciinnoit, i'm- ,the stupor of liis Irameu 



XXXVIL 

The windis chill one in every part, 
So sin has chilled the other's heart. 
And wliile the one, prone on the snow. 
Sees wiuvuith but cannot reach the glow. 
Till death has siuipped life's brittle thread,' 
So this id/ heavenly bliss is dead ; 
Yet struggling still to reach the flame, 
But cannot, for tlie stupor of his frame. 



50 THE GUERILLA-BKIDE. 

XXXYIII. 

Perhaps they 've been misfortune's mark ; 
Or, may be, as some laden bark 
On ocean far, by wild winds tost, 
In whelming waves like to be lost, 
"With spreading sails and helm to wind, 
Directs its course the port to find, 
At length on placid waters rides. 
And feels not pressure on its groaning sides.. 



XXXIX. 

Refitted soon, no longer shows 
It marks of late distressful woes ; 
So they tuni Godward their desires 
For once in longing mood. The fires 
Of sacrifice before the chart 
Burn, and the needle of the heart 
Is watched ; but once these winds subside. 
They soon forget the pressure on its side. 



THE G U E R I L L A - li K I D E . 



51 



XL. 

Not so the maiden — dangers round, 
She prayed as erst, and yet the sound, 
When danger passed, the stillness broke 
Of those old woods, as if outspoke 
An angel. Would you to your prayer 
An answer gain, you aye must bear 
To th' altar faith that God doth know 
To succor or afflict — to give or ward the blow — 



XLI. 

That faith in God, which has no need 
That mind by miracles bo freed 
From doubt, that it may then believe 
That He '11 petitions then receive. 
The doubt, the fear must first bo gone. 
Religion in deep draughts be drawn. 
Rely upon it, God doth know 
To succor or afflict — to c:ive or ward the blow. 



I 



52 THE G U E K I L I. A - B B I D K . 



XLll. 

Tliough gloom oft luiug around the miud, 
As round the mountain's crest we tind 
The gathering thunderbolt involved, 
That seems to melt it, so dissolved 
The soul may seem in grief, and feel, 
Like that, the lightning's shock, and reel ; 
Yet as that cloud will clear away, 
So faith gives hope of an eternal day. 



XLIII. 

And as we know that mountain's there, 
With clifl' on cliff sublimely fair ; 
So faith sees, through the frowning scene, 
God's truths rcflocted in his mien ; 
Though tempests toss the writhing soul, 
As raging winds mad ocean roll, 
Its faith flies strong secure away 
In the glad hope of an eternal day. 



THE GUERILLA-BBIDE. 



53 



XLIV. 

As glides the bark well built and strong 
Old ocean's rolling waves along ; 
So, too, the soul by pow'r divine. 
Will often cross the heavenly line 
By prayer — in calm or storm glides still, 
While winds celestial, breathing, fill 
The spreading sails, till, wafted there, 
It feels the strength of true, efi'ectual prayer. 



XLV. 
Behold the Maid of angel soul. 
Whose faith can strong desire control. 
And rise to God in winged prayer. 
As soars the lark in morning air ; 
See her bowed at Religion's shrine, 
Her brow serene looks half divine 
As drinks she faith from Heaven there, 
And knows the blessing of efiectual prayer. 



I 



54 r 11 E G U K U I L L A - » R I U E . 



XLVI. 

Enjoyed siie earth, or felt its rod, 
She were believing ehild of God. 
Behold her as she calmly beuds 
Before the mercy scat, and sends 
Her God-directed prayer on high ; 
She knows that God still draws her nigh, 
That she his answering bliss may share, 
And know the blessings of effectual prayer. 



THE GUERlLLA-BIllbE 



CANTO IV. 

WAR WITH THE A ]' A C IJ E S . 

When once the boar has tasted blood 
Ilis stomach loathes all other food ; 
So, once tlie savage Vengeance gluts 
In predatory war, all feeling shuts 
lie from his In-vital heart, and drives 
The knife and brand wherever lives 
lie finds to madly check the breath, 
And give him wild excitement at the death. 



I 



56 



THE aUEKILLA-BRIDE 



Not always first the savage wake* 
His fury. Jealous hatred makes 
The white man rouse them to annoy 
Whose nation differs, or destroy 
The prospering work of rival sects ; 
And thus the work of murder checks 
The good that might be docie' by faitlf. 
Nor give him wild excitement at the death. 



riL 

Keligion, art thou thus debased ?■ 
Tliat thou may'st reign, must be erased 
All other creeds but favored one, 
Referred to man to judge alone ? 
Or may not each, who loves his God. 
Exempted be from other's rod ? 
At least may he not breathe his breath. 
Nor give this wild excitement at the death ? 



THE GUERILLA- BRIDE. 



57 



IV. 

In days when inquisitions ruled, 
And all must die, or else be schooled 
In Eoman form and Roman faith. 
And walk the same unthinking path, 
There might be some excuse, but now. 
When free inquiry lights each brow. 
But fiends would wake the Indian's breatii, 
And give him wild excitement at the death. 



V. 

'T was fiends in sacerdotal stole, 
Priests and priest-ridden, fiends the whole, 
Who waked Apaches to do wrong 
To him who taught, in prayer and song. 
The trail to Heaven : who roused their ire, 
And lit the blazing council-fire ; 
Who bade them to the war-path go, 
And to defenceless victims give the blow. ' 



\ 



58 



THE G U E R I L L A - B E I D E , 



VI. 

But as rebounds the mpid ball, 
When thrown with force against the wall ; 
So priests, and so priest-ridden feel 
Their counsel to them turn in steel : 
The savage waked to bloody deeds, 
The waker by the wakened, bleeds : 
To many Creole homes they go, 
And to defenceless victims give the blow. 



vu. 

The retribution is but just — 
But rouse I Chihuahua must 
Drive back the iiends o'er Rio Grand : 
Now swords are drawn by many a hand, 
And carabines — war's dread array, 
Drums, war-steeds, and plumes floating gay 
Bravo men, and woman's tears all show 
Defenceless victims liave received the blow. 



THE GUERILLA-BBIDE. 



59 



Vlll. 

Now forth they move in loni^ array, 
To music's martial notes, and gay 
The banners float upon the breeze, 
And toppling plumes, like mimic trees. 
But most of all who lead the throng. 
One gallant Chieftain rides along ; 
Not other such battallions lead 
As this young Chief upon his snow-white steal. 



IX. 

Forth leads his band along the street, 
While maidens wave their scarfs to greet 
The fairest, bravest of the throng 
That pour the streets to war along. 
He feels elated at the sight, 
And rides in still more gallant plight. 
The shout grants not to otlicrs meed 
As this young Chief upon his snow-white steed. 



(jO THE t> U K K I L L A - B R I n E . 

X. 

His charger, even, seems to know 
They more than usual honors show 
His rider, curbs his flowing mane, 
And ])rances with a high disdain ; 
He bears him k^ftily away 
To well-bought honors in the fray, 
And to the pleasures of love-leef — 
It is — it is the young Guerilla-Chief. 



XI. 

Forth many a weary mile they move, 
O'er plain and hill, through stream and grove. 
To hunt the dusky warriors' home, 
As to the lion's lair tliey'd come, 
Attack him in his den, and draw 
Him lifeless forth with great eclat : 
Thus forth with rage, and yet with grief 
They go, led by the young Guerilla-Chief. 



THE GUBJilLLA-HUIDE. 



01 



XII. 

At lenfi|;tli u \ou<r and weary train, 
They distant seu Apache's ])lain, 
Witli Itio Grand, of limpid slieen, 
And frini^ed with forests, in between : 
Tlie sun behind them sets on hro 
The mountains' far recedin<^ 8i)ire, 
And i^ives a ^lory to tlie West, 
Like that bright j^lory liangiug round the blest. 



XUl. 

Tlic camp prepared, the tents all set, 
The pickets stationed, all beset 
Tlie fare 8ul)Ktantial, and the bowl 
And pipe add merriment of soul, 
While earth its evenint^ wrapper drew 
Its wrapjjcr dark and wet with dew — 
In closer folds, which seems a vest. 
Unlike that glory hanging round the blest. 



02 THE G U 15 K I L L A - B K I D E 



XIV. 

I)iit throiiGjh the web there steal the rays 
From far upon tlie plain, where blaze 
The camp-iires of the hated foe, 
Whose light against the distance show 
The dusky Ibrnis of warriors armed, 
To readiness for figlit alarmed, 
Aiid lights them up in plumage drest, 
Like that bright glory hanging round the blest. 



XV. 

The heat of passion, raised by wine. 
Pervades the quick extended line. 
"• Lead to the foe — for fight ! " they cry. 
Till, crying, runs the tumult high — 
The vibrant drums beat wild alarms. 
The soldiers all are ranged in arms 
To meet, and conquer e'er the dawn — 
To meet the dusky foe eacli sword is draM^n. 



T II E G U E B I L L A - 15 li I D E . 03 



XVI. 

For battle every bosom burns — 
Tlic fear of death each soldier spurns — 
The martial strain, the foe iu sight, 
Awakes to frenzy's wild delight — 
Awakes to vengeance for the wrongs 
Of savage foe ; and thus the throngs, 
Aroused, swear ere shall break the dawn 
To meet the dusky foe iu battle drawn. 



XVII. 

Forth marcli tliey mid the evening gloom 
To give the foe, or get a tomb — 
The foe that dance upon the plain 
Their war-dance, and whose forms again, 
And still again, flit by the blaze, 
Like spectres, which awhile displays 
Their uncouth figures, then in gloom 
Tliey melt away, as spectres, to the tomb. 



T II K G U K li 1 I< L A - H 14 I 1) E . 04 

XVIII. 

Ah, they shall moi^t ere reached yon foe, 
And many a soldier hIiuU lie low, 
With death-dow ^atheri'd on his brow, 
From sava<i;e, hid by tree and bou^h 
In auibnsii ; such the secret snare 
That those dark forest sons prepare, 
And win^ the shot of certain doom, 
That molts the foe, as spectres, to the tomb. 



XIX. 

They take the trail that to the ford 
Of Rio (inind loads, and, at word 
Of loud connnand, pause on the brink 
To let their thirsty charijjers drink, 
Then ])lasliini:;, shoutin<!j, wading, ride, 
And clinil) the wooded farther side; 
Yet little reck they of the doom 
That shall melt them, as spectres, to the tomb. 



•J' HE G U E K I L I- A - n li I n E . 05 

XX. 

(/Oiicealcd a tlionsand warriors lie — 
Concealed, all but the glaring eye 
That sparkles with a fiendish rage 
In the lierce battle to engage, 
And twinkles pleasure as they hem 
The whites in with their stratagem, 
Ijiit too'successful for that doom 
Tiiat sliall melt them as spectres to the tomb. 



XKI. 

Ohilniahuah's sons now all immersed 
Within the wood, a dreadful burst 
Of yells resounds from unseen foe, 
And death is dealt in many a blow — 
Amazed they i'alter, and fall back ; 
JJut roused, now rush to the attack 
With double rage, intent to shed 
Of savage blood in vengeance for tlie dead. 



<»<> I' II \'. l! K It M. I, A - llKl II K 



XXII. 

Swift flioB tliu l);ill — loud ring's tlicHwunl — 
Diru is the yell — the m-^ijig won! 
Ah fihrill — and tumult — ven^'canci.' — lii'll^ 
Tlio whole in hjiu^le word to tell — 
'ilic shout, oj" ti'iuiui»h, and the groan — 
The gurgle ol" those nearly gone 
in death's la,Ht ugony, us shod 
or savage 1)1o(m1 in vengeance for the dead. 



XXllI. 

None iiiirer, nobler, iiercer there — 
NoTie drive more closely to the lair 
Oi' skulking savage — nojie so loud 
Enc'ojirage light — and none so ])roud 
Lead on, and di-ai death blows aroiiml, 
With honor, sweat, and blood-stains crowned, 
Nor slaek Irom light a nu)ment brief. 
As does thi> brjive, the young Guerilla-Chiel". 



T ri i<: (; u E R I L r. A - ij It 1 I ) 10 . <;7 

XXIV. 
And fiercer still tlje onset grows ; 
And fiercer fight tlu; Ravage foes, 
But all in vain ; the shock too strong, 
Like nriountain avalanche, along 
Sweeps with unbending force, and flight 
Or certain death must own its might ; 
For all oljey their hate and grief 
As does the hrave, the young Guerilla-Chief. 



XXV. 

Is giv'n one yell of wild despair — 
Each savage springs up from his lair, 
And flies ; some o'er the spreading plain, 
And some the shallow river gain ; 
But fiercer, swifter, surer flies 
Enraged pursuers, until dies 
The last of that surprising band — 
Dies by the young Guerilla-Chief's own hand. 



08 T li K c; n k li 1 1- 1. a - mi i u k . 



XXVI. 
Thill; work of slaui:;lili'r doiu', they jill, 
Around their chiei'tuin i;ii(hi'vin_i^, cull 
To bo led whore the vilhii^v lies, 
That tliey tho nMiinaiit may snrpriBc. 
(Jnic'lc formed in lino, tho Ibrcod march now 
Bog-ins, thoui^h aching every brow 
And weary every limb ; yet all 
March at tho younii; Guerilla-ChierH U»iid call. 



XXVII. 
The jaded steeds, pushed o'er the ])lain, 
Tho darkling groves soon gain, 
Tlie spot whore wigwams silent stand 
As night itself. Sweep round tiie band 
Till closing them within their line. 
As serpents round their prey entwine 
And with an awful gulp engorge, 
So they, enclosing, swift destruction forge. 



T II E G U K U I M, A - li U I D E . (19 

XXVllI. 

(Jluscr tliu circKi cIohoh romn.l — 
Thu vllla^^o in it;« t'oldH is l)Oun(i — 
Now ll;uiii;H l(;ii]) loimd tjjicli \vi<^wam frail — 
Tlicy now (^acli flying wretch anHail ; 
Ami luothcrH, chihJron, warriorn old 
Jjic! Htru^f^liii^, Hwoatin<^ dcatii-dow cold. 
Yet there are two wlio I'ear not death 
Thou^jj in the reach of youn<; Guerilla'H In-eath, 



r XXIX. 

'T in Nora, tluj y<jun;< Indian maid, 
And '' Red 8ky of the Mornin*^-," staid, 
llntrembling, praying in the arniFs 
Kach of the other, tliougli alarms, 
And groann, and d(!ath an; cIohc around. 
And though the axe, with cranliing 8(?und. 
Jireakrt tlown the wigwam'H puncheon door, 
Still knoel they the Guerilla-Chiet' before. 



70 T II E <} U E U 1 J. J. A - U K 1 D E . 



XXX. 

5Siiri)i'iscd tlio yoniii;' (ivicrilla standB 
To 800 a captive locked in bands 
or love witli tliat yoniii;; Indian maid, 
Norsoom of death at all afraid, 
And thi8 so fondly clasp the fair, 
The au2;cl cai)tivo in her prayer. 
His wrath, \m ven^canco all delayed; 
Ills sword, his 8te[)H, liis Itreath, with awo are stayed. 



XXXI. 

Unconsciously ho sheathes his Made, 
And gently lifts the praying raaid, 
And bids her banish all her fears, 
A captive now no more. Her teari^ 
Tiie joy of grateful heart express, 
And Nora's face ])oi'trayR no less. 
To guard the (•a})tivi> and lier maid 
His sword, his sfe])S, ins breath, with nwc are stayed 



T n K (J IJ K K I L I- A - )! K 1 D E . 71 

XXXII. 

lie UuuIb tliem from the l)uriiin<4 pile — 
Leads to his comrades with a siiiile 
The rescued itiuiden proud to sliow 
One thus so lovely saved the blow 
That they have dealt so fatally 
To the marauding race. Yet lice 
A few, and warn the tribe to fly, . 
And shelter seek upon the mountain hiif;h. 



XXXlll. 

Dread is the fear they spread o'er all, 
And loud and shrill llT ulunu-wlioop's call ; 
And with quick haste, and cautious flight. 
From many a village fled that night 
Awed warriors, juaidens, niothc^rs wild 
"Witli terror for each bark-bound child ; 
Now hide — now to new covert lly — 
And shelter sock upon tlio mountains higli. 



T H 10 G U K R I L I- A - n K I O F. . 



XXXIV. 

Tlioy lly ; but will nut be pursued ; 
They fear ; nor sl:iu«»;hter bo rone-wcd ; 
They drojid the white-iiuin''s wrtkened niiijc ; 
This dread his vengeance shall assuage, 
And hold the slaughtering hand, while they 
]5y tear taught, dare no longer slay 
The unoffending — ''peace," shall sigh. 
Ami shelter seek upon tho mountains high. 



XXXV. 

The l)l(»w decisive being given, 
Tlic liMl)e ot" its ]>rinie warriors riven. 
Jlevengo shall now be stayed again. 
They seek tho margin ot tho plain, 
And gathering fuel, watchiires build : 
iSoon clamors of tiie camp are stilled 
In (juiet Inisli of kind repose 
That (h>ublv welcomed guest conies now to those 



T ir V. n I.; ii i m- a - 15 k i d i; . 7H 

xxxvi. 

Wrappcid ill their l)ltiiikcl;s' tiiii|il(' luld.-., 
'I'lic maidtuis i'(\st secure Iroiu colils 
or niglit-wiiids, while at distjuice briel' 
Watchful Kits tiui (iiicriila-Chiel", 
And hall" ;iwak(!, and halfaHleep, — 
Love, beauty, happy pleasures k(;ep 
Their vij^ilw, too, — I'eels not rej>osc 
That doubly welcomed guest comes now tothoHC. 



XXXVII. 

Tiiat night is long when we would lain 
Jieiiold tiiG light of morn again. 
Tlie sick man on his couch lakes noti- 
Of every stroke that seems remote 
An age from last the old clock gave ; 
The lover, to his thoughts a slave, 
Feels time a torture, hates repose 
That doubly welcomed guest comes now to those. 



74 



T JI K «} U K Ji 1 J> J- A - ]{lt 1 J) 1': 



XXXVIII. 

Tims, tossiiii:;, lay that chieftain proud. 
And wished to ace tlie nioruini;' cloud ; 
Yet more methinks liis sighini^fs are 
For '•• Hod sky of the Morning" fair. 
The rescued cai)rivc maid, who feels 
In Nora's arms that balm which steals 
Our griefs away in gentle doze 
That doubly welcomed guest now comes to those. 



XXXIX. 

At length the balmy morning breaks. 
And the Guerilla-Chief awakes 
11 is tender charge with gentle hand. 
To save alarm when roused the ])and 
liy bugle's shriller sound. She seems 
More beauteous still by morning's beams; 
He in his lieart fools hoi)eful pride 
That some day she will l)e (Tucrilla-Bridc 



'I' M E < J II K Ji I I. I- A - li K J I) V. . 7r> 

XL. 

At length the soundiiii^ ruvcillc 
Tlio KoldicrB rouHc cro yet tliu or 
Of morn has iiiirly lit the cast : 
Tiioy (jiiick dcspiitch tin; IVuguI t'eaet; 
They then pre[)ai'o to liinl tiicir dciid. 
To ])lace them in the warrior'n lied 
With warrior's honors. On the m(!ad 
They liud and give " Red Sky " her own ])iuc,k .steed. 



XLl. 

Her own Ijhiek steed, her liither g'ave 
Ere his own dwcUin;^ proved liis grave; 

Turned loose upon the grassy jihiiri, 
A friendless wand'ix'r, ajid its main 
And all its coat showed awful ]»liglit — 
Loud wept tlie maiden at the sight, 
And folded with her arms its Iniad, 
While he stM'iiied weeping al: tin' fc'irs she shed. 



7t) 1" H F. r, U E K I I. L A - B K I D E . 

XLII. 

A more than brute that courser seemed, 
And sometliing ahnost human beamed 
From liis bri,iz:ht eye tliat still was stayed 
Upon his mistress, loving maid. 
The soldiers soon the tangled hair 
Free from thebmrs, and rub it fair — 
For Nora Indian barb provide ; 
And " Red Sky'' mounting, too, all homeward ride. 



XLIII. 

Away to where the dreadful fray 
Had made night awful — more the day - 
They hastened. There behold the dead, 
That foemen foemen's blood had shed. 
All mingled in promiscuous heap 
"Where friend and foe together sleep. 
Oil, awful s-ight ! Sad end of life ! 
The dread result of M'ar's unhallowed strife. 



THE G U E E I L L A - B It I I) 1^: 



XLIV. 

War! War! How cruel still thou art! 
How fierce aud foul thy Llackeued heart ! 
Forever drunk on clotted <^ore, 
And, vomiting, sigh yet lor more ! 
Revenge and other passions rave, 
With mourning mingled at the grave ; 
At once with grief and hatred rife. 
The dread result of war's uniiallowtMl strife ! 



XLV. 
'T is sweet to calmly lay- a friend 
Down in the grave, and know his end 
Was peaceful, and that we can show 
Respect in funeral rites, and go 
In silent mourning to our homes, 
Where no intrusive feeling comes 
But gentle sorrow for the dead ! 
Remembrance of the virtues roun<l him slied. 



7s TllK (i U EU I LL A- HKIDE 



XLVI. 

Ijiit war! Oh, ten tiiiu's lialorul thou ! 
Thuu shame and i;'h>ry butli of men ! 
IJewihIered l)y the rai>'hig strife, 
Men reck not of tlieir wasting life ; 
l>ut when friends the last rites bestow 
They mourn, but curse the murdering foe. 
Thus grief and malice wake to life. 
The dread results of war's unhallowed strife. 



XLVll. 

There may be some excuse lor those 
Who have not learnetl to interpose 
The Gospel's rule of love before 
They steep their enemies in gore ; 
But for a Christian to essay 
Reckless his fellow man to slay 
For low ambition, gives to life 
The dread results of war's nnhallowed strife ; 



THE G U E K I L L A - i: K I I) E . 79 



XLVIII. 

lias "Hell" iinpi-intodoii JiLs hrow 

I>ciiol(l his minions marcliino; now 
Witii " irdl-tono-ucs " glisten in,i,M n tiiu uir, 
And " llell-flames " belching vivid there. ' 
And yet to crush him or drive back 
Oppression, would nought christian lack. 
Although it gives to death and life 
The dread results of war's unhallowed strife. 



XLIX. 
Some men in ruling nations, or 
In social life, will aye luu^e war — 
At every look or uttered word 
Take umbrage, and their soul is stirred 
To battle ; or if not of blood. 
To war of words. It is not gocwl 
To me that thus is waked to lill- 
The dread results of war's uidiallowed strife. 



,S(« T jr K (i U K K 1 I- I, A - B K 1 1) K 



L. 

Ooiiio, ])t;:u'e of miiul, sordidly blest, 
Ami, sociiil iiitrrcourso — the rest 
Of frien(lslii|i aye sii:ill weleonied be ; 
•Vnd so, our njitioifs iiiiiity. 
Let all the world, iiiiitinic, I'eel 
No more the keen, tiie bitiii,^' steel. 
Nor make tlirir annals lon^vr rife. 
With ilrrad rt'snlts of war's aidiallowi'd strite 



THE GTJERn/L A - DIL I DE 



CANTO IV 



THE LOVERS AND T H li HOWE 



."Soon gathered into soldiers' <^i'irve 
The dead, they soldiers' honors gave 
In farewH^ll Klif>t, and in\dHc(l note, 
And i)ray(irH half uttered in the throat, 
And eomradeH' teaa-K, as bendint^ low 
O'er tl>e protniscTious heap, they show 
■i'hat (i'l^M, thouf^h fierce they may ap})ear, 
The heart may feel, the eye may have a tear. 



82 THEGUERILLA-BXIDE. 

II. 

The heart was made to feel the woes 
Of others' -v^ounds; those wounds to clc^e ; 
The heart was made for love no less, 
To relish beauty's soft impress ; 
Tliough stern it seem for strife prepared, 
Though in wealth's tangled meshes snared, 
Love wakes at beauty, sighs with fear, 
The heart may feel, the eye may have a tear. 



III. 

The Chieftain of that soldier band, 
While giving forth the stern commaind. 
Yet felt that beauty had enchained. 
And sighed whene'er her sighs complained 
The maiden sighed, and looked aplain. 
The Chieftain sighed, and looked again ; 
He knows — knows she, in memory dear, 
The heart may feel, the eye may have a tear. 



TIIEGUEEILLA-BRIDE. 83 

IV, 

" Why lookest thou so sad, fair maid ? " 
" Untombed mj' father lies ;" she said ; 
" His bones bleach yonder on the plain 
Beneatli that ashy heap. Could I again 
Behold his bones, and with a sod 
But cover them, I 'd thank my God, 
And leave him to his heavenly cheer, 
Though I am left a lonely mourner here." 



V. 

" Asteed I And let 's away ! '' Away 
The two go riding swift as may 
Their horses bear them, all alone 
In the wide prairie, where late shone 
The hearth-light of a happy home, 
Till to the ruins they have come 
Where bleaching lay her father's frame, 
To cinders burnt by the calcining flame. 



84 THE GUERILLA-BKIDE. 

VI. 

Sad, sad, indeed, the maiden grew 
At that heart-rending sight, and flew 
And folded to her breast the bones, 
The all left of her father — groans 
Of sadness scape her woe-gone breast, 
Although she knows his spirit blest ; 
Yet glad to soothe her child-like grief, 
He folds her to his breast, th' Guerilla- Chief ; 



vu. 

Turns back her dark and curling hair, 
And kisses ojff the jewels there, 
The tear-drops, and, with soft caress. 
Begs her to mourn her father less ; 
Then with his sword scoops out a grave 
Those bleaching bones for mem'ry to save ; 
And mingle sympathetic grief 
In prayer, the Maid and the Guerilla-Chief. 



THE GUEKIL LA-BRIDE. 85 

Vlll. 

That sad last rite performed — the sod 
Bedewed with tears — the Soul to God — 
They homeward turn, but cast a look, 
A lingering look behind, and took 
Thus a last sad farewell of th' dead. 
And left him in his prairie bed. 
Swift to their comrades, o'er the glade, 
They ride, Guerilla-Chief and Spanish Maid. 



IX. 

The band long waited their return ; 
But now they see their chargers spurn 
The very sod on which they tread 
With lighter bound and well-curbed head, 
Ambitious for the trial proof 
Of fleetness of each other's hoof. 
Quick mid the welcoming band are stayed 
The young Guerilla-Chief 'and Spanish Maid. 



86 THE GUEKILLA-BRIDE. 

X. 

"With twirling hats and cheering shout 
All gladly compass them about, 
Mounted and ready to be away ; 
While Nora, decked with plumes that sway 
And nod, and beads that light imbibe, 
Stripped from the dead ones of her tribe, 
Has not her greeting shout delayed, 
As came Guerilla-Chief and Spanish Maid, 



XI. 

Fond cheer of Chief and soldiers met, 
Of maiden's welcome, being let, 
The line of march is soon begun, 
And short the hours, and it is done — 
Short, for the Chief sees many sights 
That still the Spanish Maid delights — ^ 
"While wonder Nora still delayed, 
Oft smiled Guerilla-Chief and Spanish Maid. 



T H E G U E R I L L A - B E I D E . 87 



Xll. 

In proud Chihuahua's streets again, 
They 're welcomed ; mourned the slain ; 
The farewell given, each seeks his home, 
Where all are glad to see him come. 
A mansion far upon the hight. 
Which o'er Chihuahua grants tlie sight, 
Their hoiiie, in fond attachmejlt strayed 
The young Guerilla-Chief and Spanish Maid-. 



XIII. 

Guerilla-Chief and Spanish Maid — 
While Nora following, displayed 
The bliss of untaught confidence. 
From his proud mansion oft lead hence^ 
To revel in kind nature's charms. 
To breathe love's rapture in his arms. 
And to wipe out each stain of grief. 
The Spanish Maiden, the Guerilla-Chief. 



88 THE GU ERIIiLA-llllID B 



XIY. 

Below they see Chihualmah's spirea ;. 
Beyond they see tlK) mouutain fires 
Of herdsmen as they &tiU pursue 
Their hardy toil, or yonder view 
The lasso drawn, and noble steed 
Lie overpowered upon tlie mead ; 
Then melting eyes — and sigh so brief — 
The love untold, yet told, by Maid and CMefl, 



XV. 

Tims oft, enwrapped beneath the shade^ 
The two' in- love's blest moments strayed ; 
Found in ejich waving leaf that stirred, 
Each cloud above, each song of bird, 
The marks of love, and, though they shun 
The truth, love seals them into one — 
That potent charmer of our grief, 
Seals into one the Maiden and the Chief. 



THE GUEBILLA-BKIDE. 89 



XVI. 

Have I not felt in boyhood's days ; 
Have I not sun<^ in untaught Lays, 
The rapture that was oft inspired, 
As she and I together admired 
The babbling streamlet as it played 
Along beneath the hemlock shade ? 
Ah, then my heart felt not its grief. 
More than the Maiden and Guerilla-Chief. 



XVII. 

Yet sad realities will hang. 
And touch the heart with ruder twang - 
Sometimes enduring ; and again, 
Like things that are not, but have been 
Enduring to o'er-saddened me ; 
And yet I happy moments see — 
But transitory — dread, yet brief — 
As with the Maid and the Guerilla-Chief. 



90 THE GUERILLA-BRIDE 



XVllI. 

Swift sped the halcyon days 
Of love's blest solstice in relays 
Of happiness. The forest, field, 
And plain, all with their love-notes pealed 
Hushed e'en the birds' soft notes so low, 
To lower twitter, as respect to show 
To virtuous love — a space, though brief, 
They love, as th' Maid and the Guerilla-Chief. 



XIX. 

Chihuahua's loftiest church one day 
Was thronged with happy, fair, and gay, 
In eager expectation ; while 
The grave ones even lit a smile 
Upon the staid and reverend face, 
As if forgetful of the place, 
When up the aisle, fair past belief 
With blushes, came the Maiden and the Chief. 



THEGUERILLA-BRIDE. 91 



XX. 

Before the altar now they stand, 
And yield the priest the willing hand, 
Who joins them. Tripping, Nora glides 
In after, dressed in plumes, divides 
Attention as she, wondering, kneels. 
And gazes on their faces. — Feals 
Of greeting burst as now, with pride. 
The Chief leads from the altar his Guerilla-Bride. 



XXI. 

The Indian maid a moment kneels 
Still by the altar, till those peals 
Arouse her from her dumb surprise ; 
Then, casting furtive glances, flies 
Behind them from the sacred place. 
While trip and dance her plumes with grace, 
Till, overtaking them, her fears have died 
In fond caress of the Guerilla-Bride. 



92 THE G U E B I L L A - B K I D E 



XXII. 

Homo to Ilia mansion over-blest 
The Chief, with his companion, pressed 
And long those old and merry halls 
Re-echo to the gentle calls 
Of nuptial bliss, while anxious tend 
Tlie servants on their lovely friend. 
And he, their lord,- is not denied 
The fond caress of his Guerilla-Bride. 



xxui. 
When storms of passion, party strife, 
Disturbed those round him, still his life 
In even tenor ran ; and in his home 
He never felt its frothing foam. 
Oft' there, with Nora at their knees, 
They strove to educate and please ; 
And glad was he tliat virtues guide 
The fond caress of his Guerilla-Bride. 



THE G U E R I L L A - U R I D E . 93 

XXIV. 

Thus loved he often to retire 
Around the household's sacred fire, 
And, with his family alone. 
Or, with sucli friends as chose to come, 
Enjoy the social hour in talk ; 
Or on the pleasant lawn to walk. 
And chat as they the town survey. 
Talk of the merits of the good old way. 



XXV. 

New schemes are formed — inventions new, 
To lighten labor and enrich the few ; 
To bring the farmer for his toil, 
A greater product of the soil ; 
To ease the traveler's weary frame. 
And make him bless the road he came ; 
And, doubtless, these inventions may 
Be better far than is the good old way. 



94 T H E G U E K I L L A - B K I D E 



XXVI. 

Moil used to i)lo\v witli sturdy team; 
Now pruirios tiii'ii by iiiig'ht of steam ; 
Onco swiftly sped the mail, when he 
Who rode with shout, and song, and glee. 
The spur, with hottest haste applied 
Deep in his foamini;; horse's side: 
Not so in this progressive day, 
For lightning now has struck the good old way 



XXVII. 

Men used to counsel with a friend, 
And strive his actions to defend 
Against the mean attacks of men, 
(For there were baselings even then,) 
Till they were proven to l)e wrong. 
And friendship celebrate in song, 
And nuvke each hour a holiday — 
O, that thou wert thus still, thou good old way. 



THE G U EKILL A-HKID E . U5 



XXVIII. 

And yet I '11 not deny tliut now 
There still is somethinti,' on the brow 
Of many kind ones that requires 
. Of biessinn^s as my first desires 
Upon them for their kindness shown, 
And sympathetic glances thrown ; 
It seems a smile of heavenly play 
So near akin — so like that good old way. 



XXIX. 

I love, when tired of fashion's calls, 
Of priraped-ni) ])a]-ties and stifJ" balls. 
To have a staid old friend drop in. 
And, resting on his staff his chin. 
Parental and bcTievolent, 
As if by angel's orders sent, 
To hold in lengthened chat tJie day, 
And make me glad; for 'tis the good old way. 



96 THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 

XXX. 

But most I love, when toils are done, 
When, with life's cares the day has run. 
To shelter me deep in the nook 
Of home, with wife, and child, and book, 
And with the cheerful words of love 
From her I early took to prove, 
In privacy retired, or in display, 
The love that's shown best in the good old way 



XXXI. 

To list the music-prattle sweet, 
Or watch the little tottering feet 
Of one God gave more close to link 
Us into one ; and there to drink 
Deep from the founts of love and lore. 
And think of cares and grief no more ; 
With these, or books and pen, I may, 
Or in discourse, find heaven in good old way. 



THE 6UERILLA-BEIDE. 97 

XXXII. 

There from my window, I may see 
The bustling world, imcared by me, 
Go tumbling on ; but if perchance, 
A ruder word or frowning glance 
From her, my early love, aye fell, 
It turns my heaven into hell ; 
To darkness turns the sunniest day 
Till smiles light up her brow in good old way. 



XXXlll. 

Though steam and lightning I would tame ; 
And honors' for inventors claim : 
• Though I would have the mind advance. 
And every interest enhance 
By honest means — make all enjoy 
Life's sweets, till each replete, the cloy 
Bade cease ; in social life, I 'd say. 
But give me back again the good old wav. 



98 THE G U E R I L L A - B K I D E . 

XXXIV. 

Thus lived they, joying in fond love. 
In that Castiliau palace 'bove 
Chihuahua's bustle ; Nora taught 
To drink from heaven's fountain draught 
That should suffice the soul, while she 
Devoutly prayed, or, with young glee. 
The cradle tended, while beside 
The smiling mother sat, Guerilla-Bride. 



XXXV. 

Tlr appropriate day arrived, they go. 
With solemn air and sacred show, 
To the pure font, and Nora first 
Is consecrated from the hurst, 
From wild and heathen life reclaimed 
For God ; a wayward savage tamed ; 
Then, christ'ning, gave to God with pride. 
The infant of the young Guerilla-Bride. 



T II E G U E R I L L A - B R I D E . 99 

XXXVl. 

I 'vc stood beside the altar oft ; 
I 've stood beside the flood which soft 
In heaven-born murmurs ran — 1 've seen 
The servant of the highest pour its sheen 
Upon the consecrated head — 
I 've seen the convert himb-like led 
Into th' deep waters, and be placed 
Low under its deep flood — his sins erased. 



XXXVII. 

I 've seen — and wliether sprinkled on, 
Or Iniried in the stream — anon 
Tliere ever has arisen in my breast 
A feelino; that the act was blest — 
A solemn sense of sacredness. 
That bids e'en sinners to confess. 
And shun the lightsome wicked jeer, 
And love, for once, the penitential tear. 



l.cFC. 



1 0() I' 11 E o n R K 1 1- 1. A - 1? u 1 n v: . 

XXXVlll. 

There was a time, a memorable day ; 
The Lord himscU' was drawn away 
Where Jordan's waters calmly iiuw. 
Pause ye who uo respect would show ! 
Hehohl him laid beneath the wave ! 
The spirit see his father gave ! 
There's more than form — more, to be prized 
When such a blessing' came to Christ, bapti/cd. 



XXXIX. 

1 woidd not lightly speak the word — 
1 would not iiave derision stirred 
At this God-given ordinance ; 
P>ut while I at the rite shall glance, 
Or think upon it as the sign 
Of purifying by the One Divine, 
I would the rite might well be prized. 
And all in heart, as body, bebaptize<l. 



THE G UERILL A - nillDE . 101 

XL. 

What worth arc sprinklings from the bowl ; 
What worth to })hiT\gc the body whole ; 
AVhat worth to bow before the altar low ; 
What worth the washing font to show, 
\i' pure repentance and strong love 
And faith in Jesus Christ above 
Have not first made 'our sins despised '( 
Oh, then it would be hell to be baptized. 



XLI. 

When love has kindled into flame 
The si»irit and the spirit's frame ; 
When Jesus is our one desire, 
And hope foi*ever draws us niglier ; 
When wordly wishes all arc laid 
Aside, and evil passions stayed ; 
Then plunged or sprinkled, as most prize( 
And O, 'twere heaven, then, to l)e baptized. 



Jk 



102 THE G U E R I L L A - B E I D E , 



XLU. 

Time sped — that mansion blest as aye, 
Till chance a traveler brought that way — 
A traveler worn with toil and care ; 
And sad his brow, though high and fair ; 
And all his looks of wisdom drank — 
His dress a soldier's of high rank — 
His mutilated limb,* and yet his pride 
Quick won the Chief and his Guerilla-Bride. 



XLIII. 

The groaning table soon was spread. 
The stranger guest placed at its head, 
With feast, and with discourse of arms. 
Of battles, suflerings, and alarms. 
The hours passed — how each had led 
The van in many a foray dread ; 
And soon Guerilla know the claim 
His guest possessed to Ijo a man of fame. 



THE GUERILLA-]) RIDE. 103 

XLIV. 

He loved him, as do all, when fa-ine 
Has lighted on the brow a fiame, 
When wealth and deeds, when whispered word 
Of praise, and fear of frown has spurred 
Us baseliugs all to cringe with fear, 
And all contribute to his cheer. 
Faith, wisdom, virtue, patienc6 claim 
None of those things as does the man of fame. 



XLV. 

The wretch, confined by bars and chains. 
Is estimated by his gains 
In villainy. — Did he defraud 
The State of many treasures, load 
Hhnself with wealth beyond compare, 
And make liis friends the booty share ? 
Detected, punished, has a claim 
E'en yet, 't would seem, for he 's a man of fame 



104 THE O U E K I L L A - B R I D K , 



XLVI. 

But if lie scape the rigorous law. 
As often is the case, where flaw 
Is to l>e found by wliich to scape 
From leaky Justice, when the shai)e 
Is nioneywise, the brood is paid. 
And right is but a leap-staff made 
To ciross the yawning gulf again, 
And help to ill-got wealth 'the man of fame. 



XL VII. 
Tlie man who's climbed the steep 
Of literary fame, can sleep, 
And dream huzzas from high and \o\v : 
While he who labors from below, 
May much the l)otter worlc produce — 
All for its faults may make excuse, 
13ut none commend, nor trump his name. 
Because lie has not been a man of lame. 



THEGUEEILLA-BRIDE. 105 



XLVIIl. 

But once the steep we, toiling climb, 
Wc are compelled to sit sublime. 
And yield to reverence — who command 
In battle, at the altar stancj, 
Or wield the pen, whate'er the cause. 
Or make the nation wholesome laws. 
Must rule ; for we are all the same 
By nature, and revere the man of fame. 



XLIX. 

" Thou art renowned," Guerilla cried — 
" I am ! " the one-limbed chief replied — 
" Then quaff this wine, and here relate 
Thy last adventures small and i^reat : 
Give U8 thy victories to know, 
And tell us thy distressful woe, 
And show thy title and thy name, 
For sure, I see thou art a man of fame," 



1C6 TUB GUERILLA-BRIDE. 

L. 

" I 've sufiered deepest, blackest wrong 
From northern, hireling, pirate throng ; 
And Mexico's for aye disgraced 
Else these base wrongs must be effiiced 
In blood. Can I forget Jacinto's field, 
Wliere we were lately forced to yield ; 
And 1, a prisoner, wait with shame 
To die as imbecomes a man of fame'^ 



LI. 
'' Curse Houston, his marauding band 
Who 've seized the fairest of our land. 
And all their minions. Houston, he 
Who fought, a devil ; though to me 
Aye sternly kind, his minions yet 
Had fled, like turkeys from the wet 
Cold hail, had he not led the game. 
And wrung a treaty from the man of fame '( 



THE GUERILLA-BRIDE, 107 



LII. 

'' Swear thou that thou 'It avenge my wrongs; 
Swear Houston dies ; the rest in thongs 
Shall lie like lassoed cows, and bawl, 
Like captured calves tied in a stall. 
Lift now thy sword to heaven, and swear 
As now my titles I declare — 
Lopez de Santa Anna th' name — 
"What ! Think'st tliou I am a man of fame ? " 



Lin. 

The young Guerilla-Chief felt then 
The fire of wrath in every vein, 
And saw his nation's scutcheon marred. 
His ruling chieftain's honor scarred ; ' 
He grasps his sword, points to the skies, 
And swears: " By this old Houston dies ; 
I '11 honor tliee, wipe out our shame. 
And w'm myself the title, IMan of Fame.'* 



108 THE G U E li I L L A - B K I D E . 



LIV. 

All, sad, sad shall thy heart become. 
And i^riet thy bride's heart-chords shall thrum 
Ere thou thy rash-made oath fulfil 
By bravery, treachery or skill. 
What will we not oft undertake 
For friendship or for honor's sake? 
And yet 'tis well that we should claim 
The honors of the title, Man of Fame. 



LV. 

But most would 1 commend the one 
Whose heart on patriot chords is strunp;. 
Be he of our own fairer land, 
Or does he rival to her stand ; 
The love of country should be crowned 
With praise wherever it is found — 
'The honest mead is his — a name — 
Who \1 for his country perish — Man of Fame. 



THE GTJERTLLA-BKTDE. 

CANTO V . 

THE E I R T H OF \V i; S T F. R N STATES. 
I. 

Theough dangers great, tlirongh bloody strife 
That cost fnll many a ranger's life, 
The Chief of San Jacinto's field 
Had late compelled the foe to yield ; 
Now stood to view again the scene 
That fair, as though it ne'er Iiad been 
By aught but smiling milk-maids trod 
Was yet old San Jacinto's bloody sod. 



110 THE G U ER I LL A- UK IDE . 

II. 

There had the "bugle's shriller sound 
A fearless little band called round 
The tall old Hero, whose command 
Gave strength to every tearless hand. 
And nerved the heart, unfearing death, 
To freedom breathe, or waste the breath. 
And nerved the arm the swoi\l to wield 
Upon old San Jacinto's bloody field. 



III. 

On had advanced the sullen foe, 
Intent to strike the final l)low, 
Outnumbering thrice tlie little band 
They thought already in their hand, 
To sink the 'Lone-Star' down to earth. 
And check a nation's laboring birth ; 
And make its freedom-mother yield 
Upon old San Jacinto's bloody field. 



TH E G U E R I L L A - IJ R I D E . Ill 



IV. 

But was it so i Thus easy fell 
The little band ? Ah, no ; too well 
The}^ knew who led them on, and p;avc 
Command to strike the foe, or save 
A comrade's life in hottest fray ; 
Too fearless were their hearts to lay 
Their armor down and tamely yield 
Upon old San Jacinto's bloody field. 



V. 

Stern Houston spoke : '• Ye comrades brave. 
Ye shall your country lose or save 
To-day for you and those to come ; 
Though, dying", shall not see it some. 
Say, will yo fly ? Shall all be lost ? 
No : you 'U not fly for thrice yon host. 
Then nobly on and never yield 
Upon old San Jacinto's bloody field. 



112 TII E G UEKI LL A-BR IDE 



VI. 

'' Your country's looking on to-day 
To sec t}ie issue of this fray : 
Her honor hangs upon its end, 
If you shall yield, or her defend — 
'T is Liberty, or Slavery's chains ; 
'T is Liberty, or Dying Pains. 
'Alamo' mind, and glory gain 
And vengeance on old San Jacinto's plain." 



Vll. 

The foe came on, and they were met. 
And the green turf with blood was wet 
As if a torrent had poured down 
And made the rising river drown 
The o'er-swept field. The little band 
Fought for 'Alamo,' hand to hand 
With the strong foe, but did not yield 
Upon old San Jacinto's bloody field. 



THE GUEKILLA-TJKIDE. 113 

VIII. 

The con(|uered foe, in chains, proclaimed 
The 'Lonely Star,' by Freedom claimed, 
Free ; free as its unconquered steeds — 
That day made free by noble deeds, 
That Vv ell her sons riiay proudly boast, 
And be a pattern for each host. 
By toil, and sweat, and crimson stain 
Upon old San Jacinto's bloody plain. 



That day shall long be borne in mind ; 
That band a place shall ever find 
In every freeman's inmost heart ; 
And, Houston, Liberty, a part — 
A part that noble martyr band 
Which seconded so well his hand — 
Of both the praises shall be pealed — 
Hail ye — hail Hero of Jacinto's field. 



Hi THE CvLf E KILLA- BEIDB 



X. 

E'en so our fathers nobly bled : 
On Bunker left their martyr dead. 
And oft endured the wintry blast 
To flight for boon now waning fast 
In strife for office ; and the prize 
Of Freedom, turned to merchandise. 
O, days of old, return, return, 
And now, as- erst, let Freedom's star4ight burs 



SI. 
Let party strife be cast aside, 
And its pure light flow in one tidfr 
llesistless and serene. E'en so 
Was once its bright and golden glow. 
And yet, though party strifes abound, 
AVar-cries of politics resound. 
It still will here and there return ; 
And now, as erst, will Freedom's star-light burn. 



THE GUEKILLA-BRIDE. 115 



Xll. 

Not only in our land it shone ; 
To other lands the spark has blown 
And lit the fuel, and the flame 
Is bursting upward to proclaim 
The early dawn of freedom's morn — 
A star to show an infant born, 
That soon will youth's full strength apply. 
And proudly wave the flag of Liberty. 



xiir. 

In every gale we hear the cry 
Of the oppressed, or "Want's sad sigh, 
While those who rule them thirst for blood, 
And rage, as tigers, wanting food — 
Give to them blood from their own veins, 
And food, as beasts are fed, in chains ! 
Swing the avenging sword on high 
And proudly wave the flag of Liberty ! 



116 THE GUEEILL A-BRIDE . 

XIV. 

Shall tyrant always reign secure 
To blast the virtue of the pure ? 
To wreak his vengeance, and to seethe 
In blood who dares free thought to breathe ? 
To slay the noble and the brave ; 
And make a chained and wretched slave 
Of him whose soul would soon be free 
Were proudly waved the flag of Liberty ? 



XV. 

O, sacred spots where freemen fell, 
Wake thou a Warren ; wake a Tell ; 
Eouse other Marions, Houstons ! Wake 
Bozarries now, his sword to take. 
And lead the van to glorious strife, 
T' avenge the blood of wasted life — 
Let breath of every widow's sigh 
Unfurl the trampled flag of Liberty ! 



THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 117 

XVI. 

Shall Poland's blood bo spilt in vain i 
Shall Germany feel a useless pain ? 
Shall Hungary's sufferings be forgot ? 
Shall Turkey's blood but flow and rot ? 
No, not in vain, nor useless throes, 
Nor shall oblivion o'er that close ; 
But this baptize their noble free 
To proudly wave the flag of Liberty ! 



XVII. 

Let youths unite in joyous song ; 
Let youths each freedom-note prolong ! 
Ma,trous, weave banners for the bold, 
With " Liberty " on every fold ! 
Ye, who taste freedom in our land, 
Move on, and join the toiling baud ; 
Extend your aid, and ready be 
To proudly wave the flag of Liberty ! 



118 THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 

XVIll. 

Let those, who feel oppression's arm, 
Arise, nor fear despotic harm, 
Nor ignominy ; gain renown. 
Till tyrant's thrones are tumbled down 
Till Freedom cliauts her evening song, 
While all her sons the notes prolong, 
And Europe as our country free, 
Shall proudly wave the flag of Li])erty. 



XIX. 

Throughout the world may Freedom's claim 
Possess a being and a name — • 
A being that shall live and breathe — 
A name with ours we '11 gladly wreathe — 
Be felt in every living heart, 
And of itself a living part — 
A being that shall never die. 
But proudly wave the flag of Liberty. 



THEGUERILLA-BKIDE. 119 

XX. 

Thus Texas had the foe o'crcome ; 
Now beat the anniversary driiiii ; 
There stood the Chief amid the throng, 
The object of affection strong : 
He erst had quelled the tyrant there, 
Ambition hunted to its lair, 
And brought it struggling forth to die 
Beneath the awful flashings of his eye. 



XXI. 

His form erect, and proud his mien ; 
His visage stern, and yet serene, 
Remembering of the dreadful fray — 
To that the contrast of to-day — 
That made all sad, yet sadly proud — 
This j&'om the brow dispersed each cloud — 
Both call to mind the foe that fly 
Before the awful flashings of his eye. 



120 THE GUERILLA-BRIDE 



XXII. 

The nation, proud of its late birtli, 
Accounted sacred every spot of earth 
On whicli that nation-babe was born, 
And sacred, too, its natal morn — 
Not for the lengthened struggle there, 
But for its leap to being fair — 
Well worth to celebrate the hour 
That broke the hmighty ruling tyrant's power. 



XXIIL 

Thus in the West not only strain 
To life the forest and the plain, 
But cities, where no city late 
Was known or thought of; e'en a State. 
That was not yester, is to-day, 
To grow, to flourish, and to sway — 
A prosperous race with freedom's dower, 
Where lately ruled the crushing tyrant's power. 



THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 121 

XXIV* 

The prairie blooms with flowers wild, 
And echoes to the dark squaw's child, 
As o'er its level face he roams, 
Lost from his tribe — lost fi'om their homes, 
The wigwamed hamlet on its side, 
Where runs the river's laving tide, 
And answered only by the wild 
Fierce tiger-cat is this, the dark squaw's child. 



XXV. 

Another summer blooms ; not all 
Those wild field-fiow'rs does it recall — 
A house has sprung up there and fields — 
The soil a bounteous harvest yields — 
Full fruit for all the farmer's care. 
As striplings carol joyous there 
They stop and cry with horror wild — [child. 
They 've found the bleached bones of the dark squaw's 



122 



THE GUERILLA-BKIDE, 



XXVI. 

Another year has sped its round — : 
A village covers all the ground ; 
And busy hands are ever seen 
"With glist'ning tools in th' sun's bright sheen, 
Preparing homes for many more — 
And steamers lie along the shore : 
A city soon has buildings piled 
Above the bleached bones of the dark squaw's child. 



, xxvii. 

A State the while — a Nation now — 
The voice, the vote of thousands — How 
The mighty "West has changed ! Tho' new. 
It like a phantom seems, yet true 
To progress spreads, and leaps ahead 
With swift but most successful tread — 
The statesman speaks — laws are compiled 
Upon the spot where screamed the dark squaw's child. 



THE GUEEIL LA-BRIDE. 123 



XXVllI. 

Thus — thus — to being springs and grows — 
To being springs with shortest throes — 
The mighty West Igaps forth, expands, 
Outgrows its youth ; tho' young, commands. 
Like stripling witli his arms thrust through 
His sleeves, liis ankles plain in view 
Below his outgrown garments ; so 
The mighty West makes bold but awkward show. 



XXIX. 

The one for battle grasps the sword, 
And gives the loud commanding word. 
Nor fears to meet a dozen foes 
Unsecouded. The West thus shows 
The fearless front in battle lield ; 
Nor yet to taunt her statesmen yield ; 
They battle for the right, although 
The mighty West makes bold but awkward show. 



124 



THE GUEBILLA-BRIDE. 



XXX. 

The West! The West ! I love the land 
From Northern Lakes to Kio Grand ! 
Ohio's border on the hither side, 
E'en to the bold Pacific's tide ! 
Thy forests, plains, and peaks that tower — 
All — all — are Freedom's holy dower — 
How swift and rank do all things grow 
In th' mighty West with bold but awkward show. 



XXXI. 

How small a space had Freedom late i- 
How circumscribed our happy state — 
The loved Republic we 've oft blest — 
To what it will be with the West — 
The giant West of fertile soil. 
Of plains, of rivers, sons for toil 
Who into warriors, statesmen, grow 
In th' mighty West with bold but awkward show. 



THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 125 

XXXII. 

Her Judges from tlr mechanic's bench 
With honest hearts that will not wrench 
The law from those in lower state — 
Our Nation's Halls, filled with the great 
Grown out of farmer's sons — the sons 
Of those who toil for scanty funds 
For maintenance ; and yet they grow. 
Till filled the West with bold but awkward show. 



xxxiu. 

The Statesmen, Heroes, Judges, all 
Our country's foremost, from the stall 
As barn-boys --- from the workshop's soot — 
Or from the farmer's cabin shoot 
To Presidential honors — fame 
Here hangs not on ancestral name. 
But workings 'neath the dark brow's glow 
That fill the West with bold but awkward show. 



1126 THE GUEKILLA-BRIDE 



XXXIV. 

Look o'er the world, and scan all time, 
Explore the records of each clime. 
And vainly you will search to find 
Such leaping forth of human mind, 
Snch enterprise, such sudden start 
Of cities, states, and works of art 
As are now, and shall ever grow 
Till filled the West with bold but awkward show. 



/ 



THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 

CANTO VI. 

THE assassin's ATTEMPT. 
1. 

Thus Texas had her power displayed. 
And gave the foemcn short saccade ; 
And now the anniversary feat 
They celebrate on chargers fleet. 
Brave Houston, too, rides proudly there. 
And breathes with joy of Freedom's air. 
That he had helped to purify 
When rang to Heaven Jacinto's battle-cry. 



128 THE G DEEILLA-BRID E 



II. 

A youth approaches, wreathed iu smiles : 
" Here 's health rewarding all your toils ! 
•Your honors here ! Here 's ruby wine, 
Pressed by my hand from Texan vine ! " 
He gives to Houston, yet his eye 
Glares brightly, and bespeaks the lie, 
Though feigning honors still to sigh 
Where rang to Heaven Jacinto's battle-cry. 



in. 

His eye — 't is dark and full of fire. 
That shows revenge and hatred dire 
Disguised in softer smiles serene ; 
Yet beauty on his brow is seen ; 
And grace, and marks of nobleness, 
Such as might their possessor bless, 
Shine in his steps ; and by his side 
Is his — the beauteous, young Guerilla-Bride. 



THE GUERILLA- BK IDE. 129 

IV. 

Houston receives the sparkling draught — 
The fiend within Guerilla laughed, 
And lights his e,yes — raised to his lip, 
He i2ieans its nectared sweets to sip ; 
Just now that eye-light lights his mind, 
And shows the treacheiy designed : 
As q[uick as sullen lightning's play, 
He dashes now the poisoned ciip away. 



. V. 

Tims aye are poisons in the bowl, 
That sting the brain, and kill the soul — 
Sting — aye, they gnaw the very heart, 
Give more, than thousand hells could, smart. 
They lurk around the tempting brim, 
And in the sparkling liquid swim : 
Then linger not when thus they play. 
But dash — O, dash the poisoned cup away. 



130 THE GUERILLA-BRIDE 



VI. 

The eiip — dread tyrant of our land, 
Enfeebles many a noble hand ; 
And oft the bravest of the brave 
It levels to the veriest slave, 
And makes them wear the galling chains 
That chafe their limbs, give woe and pains 
Then rise, ye freemen, rise to-day. 
And dash — O, dash the poisoned cup away* 



V15. 

'T is strange that those renowned in lore, 
The noble, should the liquid pom- 
Down burning throats. Ye, who'd be free 
From pain and grief, and kindred see 
With smiling brows come gathering round, 
And hear with joy love's ringing sound. 
With bolder heart your will display, 
And dash -— O, dash the poisoned cup away. 



THE GUEKILLA-BEIDE. 131 

vm. 

Let each who'd share of honor's meed, 
And be from gross debauchery freed, 
And in his country's honors lave. 
Who would be numbered with the brave, 
Who would be by his country blest 
The noblest of her sons, the best. 
Rise manfully without delay. 
And dash — O, dash the poisoned cup away. 



IX. 

The church has heard Intemperance' groan, 
And it has even to the pulpit gone — 
Then each, who would the Christian heart 
Possess, who would from wrong depart 
And be more perfect with his Lord, 
Decry this sin in deed and word. 
And when temptations round you lay, 
Then dash — O, dash the poisoned cup away. 



132 THE GUERILLA-BRIDE 



X. 

The young Guerilla had conveyed 
A poison foul to kill whom blade 
Or leaden death could not destroy — 
The tyrant's messenger a boy — 
A boy, sworn to the desperate deed, 
Or, if brave Houston lived, to bleed - 
Sworn in Chihuahua's halls of pride 
Sworn in the presence of Guerilla-Bride. 



XI. 
He 'd met adventures wild and strange 
As o'er the Texan plains he'd ranged, 
A reckless robber in the land. 
In wait to bathe his thirsty hand 
In honored patriotic blood — 
The blood of Houston, brave and good — 
For country's wrongs he justified 
The deed — and so his young Guerilla-Bride. 



THE G UERILLA-BRIDE. 133 

XU. 

As flashes o'er the sky the rapid bolt, 
So disappointed rage revolt 
Shows on his darker brow, and scorn ; 
Across the sward he strides forlorn, 
Like an uneasy tiger caged. 
And high his desperation raged — 
As storm-clouds for a moment brief, 
So strides enraged the young Guerilla-Cliief. 



XIII. 

As the storm-cloud sends its red bolt — - 
As factions suddenly revolt — 
As th' tiger turns upon its prey, 
So turns he to th' unequal fray ; 
A pistol from his bosom drawn — 
An instant, and the ball had gone, 
To make the mighty hero yield 
Upon old San Jacinto's bloody field. 



134 THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 

XIV. 

The heart of Houston is its aim — 
Revenge has lighted up the flame — 
His heart is covered by the bore — 
His fingers press the trigger more 
As thus he foully means to slay 
The honored hero of the day — 
A shriek — a shriek — that shrill has pealed 
To every heart on San Jacinto's field. 



XV. 

"With hands upraised and horror o'er 
Her brow, a female springs before 
The mighty man — a beauteous shield. 
That in his danger will not yield — ■ 
Th' assassin drops his angry brow, 
And to the moss-hung covert now 
He hastes his flight in moments brief- 
The disappointed young Guerilla-Chief. 



THE-GUERILLA-BEIDE. 135 

XVI. 

The beauteous creature, fawn-like fair, 
A moment lingers, gazing, there — 
Enough that lofty bosom to protect. 
And show the beauty Nature decked 
Her with ; folds on her breast her arms, 
And flies— her flight adds to her charms — 
She seems to them a hastening god 
Sent then to bless old San Jacinto's sod. 



XVII. 

To Houston thus her angel form 
Seems most angelic, and his warm 
Impulses long to bless her aid — 
Not long enough iias she delayed ~ 
And on the ears of those around 
His voice is lost ; for not a sound 
Has passed the growing distance wide 
Betwixt him and the young Guerilla-Bride. 



136 THE GUEBILLA-BBIDE. 

XVIU. 

He knows not who she is ; hnt he 
Has seen her beauty, ss€fn her flee ; 
And much he longs to meet again 
Her, who his guardian friend has been ■ 
To meet, and bless h«r fearless form 
That sheltered him in sudden storm — - 
Again they '11 meet when griefs betide 
The fair, tlie sad, the young Guerilla-Bride. 



XIX. 

So I Kosetta saw — her beauty rare 
Took hold of me — the high, the fair 
The marble brow — the gentle eye 
That seems in liquid lake to lie, 
And even partly melted in 
Love's soft dissolving flood — her thin 
Transparent cheek so snowy white, 
Save where 'tis penetrated by the light — 



THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 137 



XX. 

The light that shows the purple flood 
In gentlest flush that ever stood 
Upon the cheek of mortal ! I 
Just met her --- saw that melting eye, 
Those floating curls, that lighter form 
So graceful, and the smile so warm — 
And she was gone — but yet I felt 
My bosom sigh — my heart within me melt. 



XXI. 

Gone, like a bird of gushing song. 
That pipes its notes the clouds along, 
Whose plumage we, admiring, see 
One moment, and its pinions free — 
And then, though gazing, wishing still, 
Pales to a speck -- to lowest trill 
Its song — the one no more is seen --- 
The other dies in accents most serene. 



138 THE GUEKILLA-BEIDE. 



XXII. 

So came Rosetta — heard her tones — 
Saw beauty — th' beauty's gone — 
Saw her, and thought her angel there -- 
Saw her, and felt a longing care 
Steal through my sad and lonely heart 
That would not, lil^e that one, depart — 
O, is there not in beauty's spell 
Some strange, wild power the heart to swell 



XXIIl. 

To swell the heart, and torment give — 
To make us wish to die, yet live — 
To die — and be from torment riven — 
To live — and have one moment given — 
One dreaming moment, rife with bliss 
Drawn from those lips in gentle kiss — 
Or drawn, at least, in pleasure felt 
From those soft eyes whose looks the soul can melt. 



THE GUERILLA-BKIDE. 139 



XXIV. 

The more we read a poem through, 
The more we there see beauties new ; 
^ So, as we often trace the fair 
Soft features of the ones that share 
Our tender sympathies, the more 
The heart must bow, love, and adore — 
That poem must bear genius' mark — 
So this must shine with more than beauty's spark. 



XXV. 

More than mere beauty to retain 
The power that first impressions gain -■ 
Rosetta came again — we met — 
Met daily — she a beauty yet — 
The admiration of the throno- — 
And moonstruck each who came alono- 

o 

And yet I '11 leave the world in doubt 
Whether or not I bow in love devout. 



140 THE GUERILLA-BRIDE, 



XXVI. 

Takes something more than even pure 
Unsullied virtue, and a sure 
Intelligence — abiding faith 
In one, and one alone — not breath 
Of vain coquetry — while the one 
Can love, or be loved, nor yet shun 
The shame of violated troth — 
When each is thus — and thus — let love rule both ! 



XXVIl. 

What shows the high intelligence ? 
Must boast of learning, or must sense 
Displayed in high discourse of things 
Learned, or soar on fancy's wings 'i 
What true devotion ? Oft the act 
Shows strength of mind, devotion's tact — 
While weak ones tremble, strong ones do ; 
And thus their worthiness of love show, too. 



THE GUERILLA-BEIDE. 141 



XXVIII. 

Within the thick concealing wood 
Her chief— awaiting for her, stood — 
His brow was dark — his eye was fierce^ 
And to her soul's deep centre pierced. 
As searching to find what impelled, 
Or him by treason she withheld. 
" Why did you thwart me thus ! '' he cried. 
" 'T is well I love my own Guerilla-Bride ! 



XXIX. 

" Else had I pierced your heart withal 
And his with th' same undevious ball." 
" When thou shalt meet him arm to arm, 
I '11 gladly see you do him harm, 
To conquer or to fall ; but not 
By poison or th' assassin's shot." 
Thus nobly to her Chief replied 
In love, his beauteous young Guerilla-Bride. 



142 THE GUEKILLA-BKIDE. 

XXX. 

" Thy country would not honored be 
By rashness or by treachery : 
Then fearless meet him on the plain,. 
And dare his sword to strife, and drain 
The utmost drop in heart-core bound 
Of th' Hero of Jacinto's ground — 
If conquering or if conquered, pride 
Shall fill the heart of your Guerilla-Bride.-' 



XXXL 

" Your counsel good I '11 follow well, 
And soon shall ring the conqueror's knell 
Shall ring, proud as he is, o'ercome — 
His boasting voice of triumpli dumb — 
Our Santa Anna shall be free 
From dreaded foe, and I shall be 
Rewarded for my suffering brief 
By being favored his Guerilla-Ohief." 



THE GUERILLA-BKIDE. 143 

XXXIL 

Then hastening through the mossy boughs. 
With smile serener on their brows, 
They seek their horses on the plain. 
And quickly hie away again --- 
Upon their favorite steeds they go — 
One black, the other white as snow — 
With an equestrian grace they ride, 
The young Guerilla and Guerilla-Bride. 



XXXIII. 

Arouse ! Arouse ! Ye guardian band ! 
Stretch forth the strong avenging hand ! 
Who, of all Texas' rangers, would 
Not have the single foe withstood 
And single-handed, too, to break 
The hopes of him who lurks to take 
The life of him you prize the most — 
The noblest one of San Jacinto's host ! 



144 THE GUERILLA-BKIDE. 

XXXIV. 

Who reaches first yon tangled grove 
Shall his own prowess singly prove — 
A foreign emissary w"ages war 
Against you in your borders far. 
Each ranger, mount your flying steed, 
And grasp your rifle, e'en to bleed 
Or conquer — On ! Shut not your eye 
Till on the plain the foe shall quivering lie. 



XXXV. 

A score of rangers mount in haste, 
And to'rd the forest ride apace — 
The band is small, but each a brave — 
Each jealous Liberty to save — 
But fearless far before them all 
Kides San Jacinto's Hero tall ; 
Nor will he cease the spur to ply 
Till on the plain the foe shall quivering lie. 



THE GUEEILLA-BKIDE. 145 

XXXVI. 

He, spurring thus, outrode the band, 
Aud met Guerilla hand to hand, 
" Meet me on yonder plain ! " this cried, 
" I will ! " Jacinto proud replied. 
Both gazed a moment, and then drank 
The spur from either horse's flank. 
And to'rd the plain they quickly fly, 
Wliex'e soon the conquered foe shall quivering lie. 



XXXVll. 

The moss hangs thickly from on high, 
Concealing from approaching eye. 
Like thickly veiled and drapered bride, 
The bloom of Texan forest pride. 
Which waved with every breath that blew. 
And changed with every breath its hue ; 
Now dull, monotonous and brown ; 
Now vivid green, now golden .tints QQmg-^^owi^. 



140 THE G UERILLA- BKII>B. 

XXXVIll. 

Tints softened by the dark relief, 
Like the fair smiles so sweet and brief. 
That mid the marble and the rose, 
On love's soft features find repose. 
The mocking-bird her varied note 
There pours frcm her ecstatic throat 
The mimic soimds — now soft — now shriii 
Now deep — and ever imitating stilL 



XXXIX. 

TIras oflt in different company fbuntfj 
Man counterfeits the popular sound, 
Dissimulating, takes the side 
. That pampers vanity and pride — 
He's one thing then ; but when at home- 
Another — he 's forgetful grown : 
Thus, like the mocking-bird, his will, 
Now right, now wrong, is imitating still. 



THE GUERILLA-BKIDE. 147 



XL. 

With sight that foemen's movement eyed, 
They through the mossy forest hied. 
Unmindful of its beauteous charms 
Or aught but of their glistering arms ; 
Now parting here the drapery 
That Nature formed her garb to be ; 
Now, clipping with their swords the mass 
Downhung, they open for themselves a pass. 



XLl. 

Thus on they press till they have found 
The open space, the chosen ground. 
Fixed in their stirrups firm, they wheeled 
In circles far around the field — 
Now smaller grows the circling space — 
They now encounter face to face — 
Now flash their eyes with dreadful rage ; 
And blood alone their passions can assuage. 



14:8 



THE GUERILLA -BRIDE 



XLII. 

Like lightning, in the sun far blaze 
Their sabres, as on high they raise 
Them, twirling swiftly, to bestow. 
Or guard against descending blow — 
A moment thus in air they 've hung — 
Now on each other loud they 've rung — 
They clash the back and hack the edge ; 
And blood alone their passions can assuage. 



XLllI. 

" Revenge ! " the young Guerilla cried 
" Liberty ! '' the old Chief replied : 
These only from their bosoms break — 
These are the mottoes and the stake — 
Most nobly both receive the blade ; 
And nobly both have heavy laid 
In doubling blows aback again, 
While blood flows freely to Jacinto's plain. 



THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 149 



XLIV. 

High runs the fierce determined strife 
The one for Liberty and life, 
The other for a tyrant's guilt, 
Revenge. As tourneyment and tilt, 
"Was nobly fought in father-land. 
So fight these foemen hand to hand 
In doubling strokes aback again, 
While blood flows freely to Jacinto's plain. 



XLV. 

On Houston's breast a gaping wound 
Is spirting forth the red blood round ; 
A fiercer fire now lights his eye : 
With mighty sweep, he swings on high 
His twirling sword in whistling air, 
And down it comes resistless there — 
In fragments th' other's flies amain. 
While blood flows freely to Jacinto's plain. 



150 THE GUEKILL A-BRIDE . 



XLVI. 

Th' Guerilla trembles in his seat ; 
Then falls beneath his horse's feet — 
Uuridered now — and now unreined — 
His white hair now with red blood stained — 
He wildly flies a shortest way — 
Stops — looks where the Guerilla lay, 
"Whose blood from wounds severe is poured, 
From wounds inflicted by Jacinto's sword. 



XLVII. 
Jacinto, too, as thus he stood 
Above his foe, was purple flood 
Fast losing — felt a darkness veil 
His fainting eyes, his strength fast fail 
To save from falling he had need 
To cling to th' mane of his own steed - 
He, leaning on him, moved aAvay, 
And left the young Guerilla where he lay. 



ttHE GUEEILLA^BRIDE 

CANTO VII . 

THE CAPTIVE AND THE RELEASE. 
I. 

Thus ends that single-handed strife — 
The vanquished surging forth his life — 
Just then, upon her coal-black barb, 
From mid the forest's mossy garb, 
A female dashed out on the plain, 
And quickly drew the slackened rein 
By th' fallen, bleeding victim's side — 
It was the fair, the young Guerilla-Bride. 



152 THE GUEKILLA-BEIDE, 



II. 

Her scarf she speedily unbound, 
And with it staunched the surging wound, 
Impressing kisses on his brow 
That, fainting, was like marble now ; 
While near, their steeds together neighed, 
Each other gnawed, and friendly played. 
The one so black no white hairs show. 
The other white as winter's driven snow. 



III. 

She raised him gently from the mead, 
And placed him on his waiting steed ; 
Then led away within the wood 
To th' brink of old Jacinto's flood ; 
And there, upon the mossy carpet laid 
Her fainting husband in the shade, 
Who, rousing, sighed of home away, 
And of that dear one left full many a day. 



THE GDEBILLA-BKIDE. 153 



IV. 

Below tha.t shore five fathoms deep 
The waters of the river sweep. 
Her husband rested on her breast, 
As she his wounds with kindness drest, 
And smoothed his jetty locks away, 
And sadly viewed the water's play ; 
And thought of th' babe that they had left, 
That soon would of a father be bereft. 



'y: 
Her horse caparisoned beside 
Her stood, her only hope and pride : 
On him she oft had fled before. 
And hoped to ride from danger more, 
When dangers should hang thick around, 
And death-]3roclaiming bugles sound — 
T' ride home to Nora and her child, 
Yet mourn a widow of her Chieftain spoiled. 



154 THE GUERILLA-BBIDE. 



VI. 

His arching neek and coal-black hair, 
Arched still more proud, made him more fair ; 
And the bright fire within his eye, 
iTnlying, spoke fidelity : 
His beauteous limbs' unresting play 
Proclaimed that he would be away — 
The tread of foes is near them now — 
Her chief to death-delt blows must quickly bow — 



VII. 
His strength too small -— his wounds too sore 
For them to fly, or fight them more — 
He 'd bravely fought — had bravely fell -~ 
His end was nigh — he knew it well : 
A smile of scorn was in his eye — 
Too proud — too brave to fear to die : 
But for his wife, his lovely wife, 
He felt a care, a care to save her life. 



THE GUERILLA-BKIDE. 155 



Vlll. 

" They come ! Away ! Away ! " he cried ! 
" Away ! Away, Guerilla-Bride ! " 
With single leap the stirrup gained, 
The whip applied, his shoulder pained ; 
With few long bounds and light 
He leaped adown the giddy hight — 
Sunk now — now rose — and o'er the tide 
He lightly bore the young Guerilla-Bride. 



IX. 

His bride to distance safely fled, 
He little recked of his own head : 
The Texan rangers swiftly came, 
The guardians of Freedom's flame. 
With rifles grasped in sturdy hand — ■ 
Low bent upon their steeds, the band 
Swept on, and in a moment brief 
Drew round the wounded young Guerilla-Chief. 



156 THE GDEKILL A-BEIDE. 

X. 

As oft the huntsman's baying pack, 
When following on the game's fresh track, 
With nostrils strained to th' steamy ground. 
Bound silent on, and sweep around 
The beast embayed, that sees no hope 
To scape the lolling mouths that ope 
Upon him. Even so rushed they 
Where, wounded, the Guerilla-Chieftain lay. 



XI. 

Meantime the young Guerilla-Bride 
They saw away in fearless pride, 
Whose faithful mustang quickly bore 
Her, dripping, to the further shore. 
And, leaping up the rocky breach. 
Bore her beyond the rifle's reach : 
She stood upon the hillock's side 
A sad and lonely young Guerilla-Bride. 



THEGUEEILLA-BRIDE. 157 

XII. 

She stood there on the hillock's brow, 
And gazing far upon him low 
Must yield her husband to his fate ; 
But feared to see the dreadful hate 
Displayed by these, his country's foes, 
In oft-repeated, deadly blows — 
Her bosom heaved — was still — then sighed ■ 
And trembled then the young Guerilla-Bride. 



XIII. 

The color fled her beauteous face. 
And tears came trickling down apace — 
A suffocation seized her breast. 
As thus she stood alone, distressed ; 
And she had falFn but for the rock 
On which she leaned, such was the shock 
Of death-drawn dangers that betide 
The Chieftain of the young Guerilla-Bride. 



158 THE GUERILLA-BKID E. 

XIV. 

He 'd raised his arm in evil hour, 
Against the law of right and power, 
To strike at Justice and at Law — 
He feels they '11 soon his life-blood draw 
And well he may, for this mad aim- 
At one so high in love and fame — 
Like wounded tiger crouched at bay, 
There, bleeding, helpless, the Guerilla lay. 



XV. 

So here before, expecting death, 
E'en Santa Anna held his breath ; 
Strove long to scape, but strove in vain 
And strove to hide in wood and plain : 
But when the Texan freeman band 
Had seized, they held with gentle hand 
The tyrant they had forced to yield 
Upon old San Jacinto's bloody field. 



TH E G UERILLA-BRIDE. 159 



XVI. 

Thus once again this band surround 
The tyrant's minion --- soon was bound 
The young Guerilla — gave his sword — 
'T were useless now to strive — if bored 
By many a ball, it must be so — 
Instead, none gave the fall'n a blow ; 
But kindness that was shown by each 
Should Mexico a passing lesson teach. 



xvu. 

Yet much I doubt if e'er she's taught, 
Till with her once again we 've fought ; 
Till yet another Monterey 
Or Vera Cruz shall sweep away 
Th' last vestige of her tyrant power 
That faithless changes with each hour — 
The remnant of her wide domain, 
And from the scroll of nations blot her name. 



160 THE GUEKILLA-BRIDE. 



XVIll. 

They gently to his saddle bore 
The young Guerilla- Chief, and o'er 
The way moved slow to save from pain ; 
Oft stopped, as oft he might complain. 
To right him in his sliding seat, 
Or cool his wounds of fevered heat ; 
Nor wish denied to give relief 
To this their captive young Guerilla-Chief. 



XIX. 

Not less their care for captive led. 
Than wounded Houston at their head — 
All this was marked with anxious eye 
By her who gazed with tear and sigh 
From distant crag whose rugged face 
Concealed her in her chosen place : 
Nor shall be gratitude denied 
To thee, thou fair, thou young Guerilla-Bride, 



T H E G U E K I L L A - B R I D E . 161 

* 
XX. 

Not long ere the Guerilla lay 
Enchained to suffer for the fray. 
His eye was dark — his mien was proud — 
His beating pulse was even — loud 
His breath came from his passive breast 
That knew no coward's shapeless pest -- 
Beside him stood the mighty man 
Who fought him late --- erst led Jacinto's van. 



XXI. 

He spoke: " Th' assassin and the spy 
By law of nations can but die ; 
It must be so ; I 'm forced to write 
Thy dooming warrant yet to-night — 
To-morrow, Chieftain, thou must be 
Launched into dark eternity. 
Thou, in the centre of our land, 
Hast dyed in blood thy emissary hajid." 



162 THE GUERILLA- BEIDE 



XXll. 

He paused — " And thou must die I •' he said 
And the Guerilla bowed his head — 
Although his dreadful doom was sealed,. 
He would no child's emotions yield — 
He had resolved to die unknown, 
And meet his fate without a groan — 
He cared no longer now for fame : 
Hoped but to hide from history his name. 



XXllL 
The world might know some one ?iaddied — 
The action stand — the name denied — 
The youth who should peruse tlie page 
Might see a man in early ago 
Had sought to take the much-prized life 
Of him the first in peace or strife ; 
But there 't would die like wispy flam^e 
If he but hid from history his name. 



THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 163 

XXIV. 

So he, who under fictions name, 
Writes poems, nor cares for the shame 
Of censure on his weaker muse, 
So he is never known. Such use 
Without remorse each poet's horn, 
And laugh the critic into scorn ; 
Feel still delighted with the lay, 
Though stolen half from Shakspeare, Pope, or Gray. 



XXV. 

Yet he, whose name appended stands 
With these the scrawlings of his hands, 
Will strive to free his song from all 
Defects in style or matter -^ call 
With airy charms tlie public mind — 
With airy thoughts pure and refined ; 
jSTor each third stanza of his lay 
Be stolen from old Shakspeare, Pope, or Gray. 



104 THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 

XXVI. 

lie, too, who's heard tlie blast of fame 
Blow from the trumpet his own name, 
May well dread ignominious death ; 
But he who breathes a borrowed breath - 
Who does the acts of other men, 
Because he bears their name, may then 
Feel not this humbling of his pride, 
Because his mother ne'er shall know he died. 



XXVII. 

Guerilla's name shall not be hid — 
Not less than is the act he did : 
The fair, the sad Guerilla-Bride 
Sat far above the swelling tide 
Within the hillock's creviced side : 
Awhile she groaned — awhile she cried 
And yet from woe found no relief — 
Deep woe for her enchained Guerilla-Chief. 



THE GUEEILLA-BKIDE. 165 

XXVIll. 

Wlien conscience smites or griefs arise, 
Thought gives not ease, nor dries our eyes — 
To her reflection added pain — 
Oh, should she ever see again 
The bright, the much loved youthful brow 
That, maybe, quivered, even now, 
In death before the foemen steeled 
To him on San Jacinto's bloody field ? 



XXIX. 

If she should see him ne'er again, 
If he should die upon that plain, 
Life were a burthen to her then. 
And hateful face of living men ; 
Her brow was sad — her eye grew wild - 
Awhile she wept — awhile she smiled — 
It was a smile too bright and brief 
To beam with hope for the Guerilla-Chief 



166 THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 

XXX. 

A wild, half maniacal cry — 
While wild determinations fly — 
"I '11 plunge me headlong in yon stream, 
No more of love and hope to dream, 
Nor have them blasted ; nor the flow 
Of disappointment and of woe 
To feel ! " — Shall such a fate betide 
The young, the sorrowing fair Guerilla-Bride ? 



XXXI. 

She started from her hiding place 
With fawn -like bound and fairy grace : 
Leaped to her saddle, and away 
To where Jacinto's waters play ; 
Springs from licr seat, by frenzy driven — 
Casts one imploring look to heaven — 
A moment — and the surging tide 
Might have gulped down the young Guerilla-Bride, 



THE GUEKILLA-BEI D E. 167 

XXXII. 

Quick, as the impulse first was given, 
She seemed from purpose dreadful driven — 
As if a sudden thought had laid 
Its hand upon her mind, she stayed 
Her feet upon the brink, as, ere 
She plunged, she paused to drop a tear — 
As sudden as she came, she hied — 
O'er stream and prairie rode Guerilla-Bride. 



xxxm. 

As thus she galloped o'er the plain 
Her brow became serene again ; 
A calm sedateness — calm, yet sad 
Smile through transparent grief, that had 
Marked there her resolution firm : 
" I can but die, if other term 
Be not obtained ; and, by his side, 
I '11 fall his own, his loved Guerilla-Bride." 



168 



THE GUERILLA-BKIDK. 



xxxiv. 

Her cheerful steed obeyed her willj 
Audflew o'er plain, and vale, and hilly 
Through tangled wood, and prairie wide,. 
A short, and quick-accomplished ride^ 
Where numbers on Jacinto's ground 
Her fettered husband gathered round ; 
And soon, within their midst, beside 
Ilim stood his own, his loved Guerilla-Brixie.. 



XXXV. 

Houston had been revived, though still' 
His wounds had ached but for his will 
That only let him breathe more slow : 
Aside he now paced to and fro, 
AVith folded arms and darker eye, 
And anger waxing fierce and high — 
The smarting wound upon his breast, 
Unowned gave proud Jacinto mad unrest.. 



THE GUERILLA-BRIDE, 169 

XXXVl. 

As thus he walked across the sward 
He muttered now — now strove to guard — 
" Yes ; he shall die, the villain ! He 
Shall teach the tyrant we are free. 
If Santa Anna 'd lose his life, 
Let him but follow to the strife ; 
Not yet a third time will I yield 
Upon old San Jacinto's bloody field." 



XXXVII. 

Thus Houston muttered — with quick pace 
He strode — strode with contracted face — 
He ground his teeth in agony 
And firm resolve still to be free — 
Though they may strive to take his life --- 
They may in secret — not in strife ; 
For who shall dare to strike a blow ? 
Shall tyrants triumph on Jacinto ? No ! 



170 THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 

XXXVllI. 

I'lius Houston muttered — with quick pace 
He strode — strode with contracted face — 
Just then a being fair bent low 
To earth before him, veiled in woe. 
'^ Brave father, must my husband die ? 
O, must he ? " was the saddening cry. 
With eyes of fire that, changing, blazed, 
The stern old Hero of Jacinto gazed. 



XXXIX. 

His eye grew dark and terrible, 
As thundercloud of aspect fell — 
It changed --- and now a smile, a tear, 
Like sun-ray on that cloud severe — 
Awhile both trembled in his eye, 
Then dropped, as from our April sky 
The big rain patters 'gainst the wall ; 
So down the Hero's cheek the tear-drops fall. 



THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 171 

XL. 

'T is not unmanly e'en to weep — 
Achilles wept with sorrow deep — 
The Hero knew the creature fair 
Who 'd saved his being that day there : 
She 'd rescued him from ready grave ; 
And now anotlier should she save ! 
Another in his manhood's pride 
To honor self and his Guerilla-Bride ! 



XLI. 

There bent upon her knees, she bowed ; 
Nor hid her tears from gazing crowd — 
The Hero raised with gentle hand — 
His tears seen, too, by all his band ; 
Forgiveness flashed upon his mind — 
*' He 's free ! You both are free ! Unbind 
Him, and depart ! " great Houston cried. [Bride. 
" We 're free ! We 're free ! '' exclaimed Guerilla- 



172 THE G UK KILL A- BRIDE 



XLIl. 

'' We 're free ! We 're free ! I '11 cut his bands !" 
In ecstacy she clapped her hands — 
*■' We 're free ! We 're free ! High thanks to you!" 
And quick as morning light she flew 
To loose her husband from his chains, 
To bathe his wounds and soothe his pains, 
Still crying in her child-like glee : 
"Guerilla-Chief, we 're free ! We 're free ! We 're free !" 



XLIII. 

" Return to Mexico from whence 
You doubtless came — from Houston hence 
This message bear your would-be king," 
Said Houston ; " tell your maimed thing 
That I can never conquered be 
As long as earth has yet one free ; 
Still to humanity will yield 
Upon old San Jacinto's bloody field." 



THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 173 

XLIV. 

Quick loosed the bands the Chieftain bound, 
While gazed the angry band around, 
And loudly call'd for sacrifice, 
As when the tyrant was their prize : 
But Houston more of honor knew. 
And now, as then, th' condemned withdrew ; 
Nor to revenge nor wrong would* yield 
Upon old San Jacinto's bloody field. 



XLV. 

Spring to your steeds, and be away — 
They spring, while still the rangers stay, 
By him detained, who as they go : 
" Thou saved this breast from crimson flow, 
And now another thou shalt save. 
Fly, fly ; and Heaven thee from the grave 
Protect, as thou this day hast done — 
A wreath from old Jacinto thou hast won." 



174 THE GUERILLA-BRIDE. 

XLVI. 

Flying o'er prairio far and wide, 
Free, free, they homeward swiftly ride, 
With humbled feelings, yet with heart 
Waked to its nobler, better part 
Of gratitude. Revenge no more. 
But love their fond lips ever pour : 
Love still unmixed with treason's fire — 
Love that makes them their country's foe admire. 



XLVII. 

And now within their own fair grove 
They chant their lay of grateful love 
For him, who, when he'd conquered there. 
Could yet his fallen victim spare ; 
Who yet another gem revealed 
On San Jacinto's bloody field. 
Thus do they live in love content 
With their Guerilla joys in Union blent. 



THE GUEKILLA-BRIDE. 175 

XLVIII. 

Not always in the mansion fair 
Above Chihuahua ; but oft there 
They visit Nora and her lord, 
Who live, forgetting field and sword,. 
And rear their Creole babes ; — but oft 
He sits on Justice' highest loft — 
Twice President, and long of Law 
Tlie highest Judge — tis Pay a y Paya. 



XLIX. 

Returning to his native home, 
He would not longer from it roam ; 
But deep immersed his mind in Law, 
Resolved his honors thence to draw ; 
And well he drew them — soon attained 
That higher loft that few had gained, 
Chief Justice of his native land — 
Twice President — shall Paya's honor stand. 



176 TIIEGUERILLA-BKIDE 



L. 

His bride is honored and beloved — 
Their offspring, too, has worthy proved 
Of parents such as these ; --- and he, 
Brave Houston, sees his country free — 
Has wreathed its greenest laurels round 
His aged brow — is doubly crowned — 
Long let " Guerilla-Bride ! " be pealed 
With " Houston, Hero of Jacinto's Field ! " 

THE END. 



DEC \y^ 



Wljc 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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